Malkaush (also spelled Malkauns) is a raga in Indian classical music. It is one of the most ancient ragas of Indian classical music.[1] The equivalent raga in Carnatic music is called Hindolam, not to be confused with the Hindustani Hindol.
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The name Malkaush is derived by the combination of Mal and Kaushik, which means he who wears serpents like garlands—the god Shiva. However, the Malav-Kaushik mentioned in classical texts does not appear to be the same as the Malkauns performed today [2]. The raga is believed to have been created by goddess Parvati (the wife of Shiva) to calm Shiva, when the lord Shiva was outraged and was not calming down after Tandav in rage of Sati's sacrifice.
Malkaush belongs to Shaivait musical school; in fact most pentatonic ragas belong to Shaivait musical school[1].
His mace running with blood, garlanded with skulls of heroes, Malkaush surrounded by braves and bravest of the brave!
Malkaush belongs to the Bhairavi thaat. Its notes are Sa, komal Ga, shuddh Ma, komal Dha, and komal Ni. In Western classical notation, its notes can be denoted as: tonic, minor third, perfect fourth, minor sixth and minor seventh. In raga Malkaush, Rishabh (Re - second) and Pancham (Pa - perfect fifth) are completely omitted. Its jaati is audav-audav (five-five, that is, pentatonic).
Arohana : 'n S g m d n S'
Avarohana : S' n d m g m g S, or S' n d m g S
The ga used is actually ga Sadharan (the rough minor third), 316 cent above Sa [3]
The vadi swara is Madhyam (Ma) while the Samavadi swara is Shadaj (Sa).
Pakad: 'n S g m g S 'n S 'd 'n 'd 'm 'd 'n S
Malkauns is a serious, meditative raga, and is developed mostly in the lower octave (mandra saptak) and in a slow tempo (vilambit laya). Ornaments such as midh, gamak and andolan are used rather than 'lighter' ornaments such as murki and khatka. Komal Ni is generally considered the starting note (graha swara), and the notes komal Ga and komal Dha are performed with vibrato (andolit). All five swaras can function as pausing notes.
The komal Ni in Malkauns is different from the komal Ni in Bhimpalasi.
The best time for this raga is late night. The effect of the raga is soothing and intoxicating.
Some related ragas are Chandrakauns, Sampoorna Malkauns, Pancham Malkauns, Kausi Kanada, Madhukauns and Jogkauns.
'Man Tarpat Hari Darshan Ko Aaj' (film Baiju Bawra), 'Aadha Hai Chandrama Raat Aadhi' (film Navrang), 'Chham Chham Ghunghroo Bole' (film Kaajal), 'Ankhiyan Sang Ankhiyaan Laagi Aaj', 'Balma Maane Na' (film Opera House) and 'Rang raliyaan karat sautan sang' (film Birbal My Brother) are a few popular Hindi film compositions based on Malkaush. 'Rajasekhara' in the film 'Anarkali' in Tamil and Telugu is a famous composition based on this in South India.