raga

noun

ra·​ga ˈrä-gə 

1

: one of the ancient traditional melodic patterns or modes in Indian music

2

: an improvisation based on a traditional raga compare tala entry 1

Examples of raga in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The title track is an infectiously groovy, eighteen-minute improvisation for electric keyboards, in which quicksilver tendrils of melody appear and recede, shimmering in the style of Indian raga. —William Robin, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2025

Thanks to Kronos, Steve Reich, Terry Riley, Philip Glass and many of the great names of the 20th and 21st centuries — along with composers in rock, jazz, country, folk, raga, Chinese pipa music and other global traditions from every continent — turned to this unlikely medium. —Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2024

Not much of the raga influence we were promised is in those vocals but holding out hope for the rest of the album. —Justin Curto, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2024

She was particularly drawn to the complex, shimmering sound of the raga’s underlying tambura drone, which seemed to stretch on endlessly in time. —William Robin, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Sanskrit rāga, literally, color, tone; akin to Sanskrit rajyati it reddens, Greek rhezein to dye

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1