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raga is imprecise. The two words are too limiting. The raga speaks of swara and tala. Swara, a Sanskrit word, means more than a note; it has a spiritual and philosophical subtext that means literally "the self bursting forth." Tala, which is also a specific measurement used historically in vastu, represents the raga's cycle of beats, rhythmic structure, meter, cadenceany number of phrases that add more meaning to the Western concept of rhythm. The tala is associated with mantras and the poetic cadence in the verbal expression of the Vedic hymns, so tala is also a word with deep spiritual associations. As for raga, this word is variously defined as a melodic concept, a melodic structure, a melodic pattern based around a scale of specific notes. |
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Concept of Rhythm and Objective |
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Two strong parallels bind the raga to vastu: the concept of rhythm as its relates to the creation of a specific mood, and the primary objective of the raga, which is so similar to the objective in vastu. A raga is therapeutic. It is meant to uplift and transform the soulthe soul of the artist and the soul of each listener. And this objective is not just a casual by-product of the raga, any more than it is a casual by-product of vastu. This spiritual objective is the driving force behind each discipline and art form. |
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The same connection between music and architecture also relates to sound and AUM, the first word uttered by Lord Brahma, the primordial word that set creation in motion. The Vedas were heard by rishis, who chanted the sacred words for an unknown period of time until they were finally codified and provided with their present meter. Indian classical music, espe- |
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