Asa Raag

From SikhiPedia

Asa Raag is a very old raag, once popular in the Punjab but seldom heard in concerts today. In the Raagmala this is a ragini of raag Megha. However, today it is assigned to the Bilaval thata. Asa is a devotional raag for the cold season and is performed in the early morning just before sunrise. However, it is also known as a twilight melody with a calm mystical mood. Asa was used by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Angad Dev Ji, Guru Amardaas Ji, Guru Ramdaas Ji, Guru Arjan Dev Ji and Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.

Aroh : Sa Re Ma Pa Dha Sa

Avroh : Sa Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Re Sa

Vadi : Ma

Samvadi : Sa

Asa is a crooked (vakra) raag in that approaches to certain notes have to be made from a set position. Its variants as given in the Holy Book are Kafi and Asavari, both of which have many features in common with Asa. This raag may have originated in Maharashtra about the time of the major Muslim invasions. Its pleasing sound made it suitable bhajans by the Hindu devotees.

Angs

Asa Raag begins at ang 347 in Guru Granth Sahib Ji and ends on ang 489