Raag Durga

Raag Durga is another 5-note raag, clean and clear. It shares some structural similarities with Bhupali (both are Audav-Audav) but its character, Thaat and feel are completely different.

The Basics

Thaat: Bilawal

Jati: Audav-Audav (5 notes in both Aaroha and Avaroha)

Vaadi: Dhaivat (Dha)

Samvaadi: Rishabh (Re)

Varjit Swars: Gandhar (Ga) and Nishaad (Ni)

Time: Second Prahar of the night (approximately 9 PM to midnight)

All notes are Shuddha

Aaroha: Sa  Re  Ma  Pa  Dha  Sa

Avaroha: Sa  Dha  Pa  Ma  Re  Sa

Pakad: Ma Pa Dha Ma Re / Re Dha Sa (lower octave)

The Character

Durga is bright, energetic and uplifting. Where Bhupali is serene and inward, Durga is outward-facing and cheerful. The Vaadi Dha sits in the upper half of the raag, making it an Uttaraang Pradhan raag (second half of the Saptak more prominent). This gives it an elevated, sky-facing quality.

The Re-Pa combination (jumping from Re to Pa directly) is characteristic of Durga and appears frequently in its movements. Pa in the Aaroha is typically clean and direct, but in the Avaroha Pa often appears as a grace note (Kaan Swar) approached through Dha: Dha Pa Ma.

PS :

Durga is considered a relatively modern raag. Some scholars place its Thaat as Khamaj rather than Bilawal, so you may encounter both versions in different sources. For ABGMM purposes, Bilawal Thaat is the standard answer.

Do not confuse with the folk song tradition of songs dedicated to Goddess Durga. Many compositions in this raag do reference the goddess, which is how the raag got its name, but the raag itself has a formal classical structure independent of that devotional context.

The Exam-Ready Summary

Raag Durga

Thaat: Bilawal

Jati: Audav-Audav

Vaadi: Dha

Samvaadi: Re

Varjit: Ga, Ni

Time: Second Prahar of night

All Shuddha Swars

Aaroha: Sa Re Ma Pa Dha Sa

Avaroha: Sa Dha Pa Ma Re Sa

Pakad: Ma Pa Dha Ma Re / Re Dha Sa

Common Misconceptions

Durga and Bhupali are both Audav-Audav but share no notes in common except Sa. Bhupali uses Re, Ga, Pa, Dha. Durga uses Re, Ma, Pa, Dha. The one note difference (Ga vs Ma) changes everything about the character.

Quick Quiz

1. Which Thaat does Raag Durga belong to?

2. Which notes are Varjit in Durga?

3. What is the Vaadi and Samvaadi of Durga?

4. How is Durga different from Bhupali structurally?

5. What makes Durga an Uttaraang Pradhan raag?

Listening Task

Listen to Raag Durga and then immediately listen to Raag Bhupali back to back. Even though both are 5-note raags, the difference in character is unmistakable. Durga feels brighter and more energetic. Bhupali feels more settled and introspective. Being able to feel that difference is as important as knowing the notes. 🎵
Go to noteswar.noteheads.in and try to compose the Raag and arrangements as variations of it to truly get a feel of it

PEACE ! 🎻