Mdraselsarker: new basic entry initial version - done

2025-12-31T17:21:09Z

new basic entry initial version - done

New page

{{Short description|Composition in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji}}
{{Other uses|Ragamala (disambiguation){{!}}Ragamala}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{tone|date=February 2013}}
{{more citations needed|date=February 2013}}
}}
{{Infobox religious text|religion=[[Sikhism]]|image=Folio of the Ragamala composition of the Kartarpur Bir.jpg|caption=Folio of the Ragamala composition of the Kartarpur Bir which was written by Bhai Gurdas under the supervision of Guru Arjan, ca.1604|name=Ragamala|previous=Mundavani|subheader=[[Guru Granth Sahib]]|verses=twelve verses running into sixty lines|language=[[Sant Bhasha]]|author=Disputed}}
{{Guru Granth Sahib sidebar}}

'''Ragmala''', alternatively spelt as '''Raagmala''' or '''Ragamala''' ([[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]: ਰਾਗਮਾਲਾ {{Small|([[Gurmukhi]])}}; pronounced rāgmālā,) is a composition of twelve verses (sixty lines) that names various [[raga]]''.'' These raga appear in the ''saroops'' of [[Guru Granth Sahib]], after the compositions of Guru Arjan entitled ''Mundavani'' (ਮੁੰਦਾਵਣੀ; meaning "The Royal Seal".)

The title literally means a 'Garland of [[Ragas|Raga]]’, or a ‘Mode of Musical Melodies’ - "mala" means "garland", while "raga" means “musical composition or mode.” This work has inspired the series of [[Ragamala paintings]]. The list differs according to the author and the music school it is based upon. Variations on these lists can be found in the music text books of India.

== Controversy ==

There are eight raga used in Guru Granth Sahib that have not been mentioned in the Ragmala. These are: Bihagara, Wadahans, Manjh, Jaitsri, Ramkali, Tukhari, Prabhati and Jaijawanti. Mali-Gaura is not included in Raagmala but Gaura is.<ref>Surindar Siṅgh Kohli. A Critical Study of Adi Granth. Delhi, 1961</ref><blockquote>“The last pages of the Kartarpur Beerh do not suggest, either because of the presence of blank spaces, or scoring out, or obliteration hortal, or otherwise, that there was or could have been the least intention to write these hymns in the Granth. The Mudaavni is on page 973/1. Pages 973/2 and 974/1 are blank, and on page 974/2 is Raagmala. As such, there could never have been the possibility, nor could it ever have been contemplated that these three writings requiring a space of over four pages could have been accommodated on the two blank pages 973/2 and 974/1.” <ref>Professor Sahib Singh. About the Compilation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib (Tr. Daljit Singh). Amritsar, 1996</ref> - Professor Sahib Singh</blockquote>According to Dr. S. S. Kapoor, the Sikh scholars differ in their opinion about its inclusion in the Granth. The traditional school thinks it to be a part of the Guru Granth Sahib and asserts that it is an index of raga used in the Guru Granth Sahib. This argument can be challenged on the grounds that the contents do not fully match. Another argument of the traditional schools ([[Sampradaya|sampardai]]) that the Ragmala belongs to the original copy (written in the same ink and the same pen as the other parts) of the Granth.

Various [[Sects of Sikhism|Sikh Sampardas]] (traditional lineages of knowledge) allege that the Ragmala is not just a rosary of the Raags of the Guru Granth Sahib, but has a deeper spiritual meaning.

[[Randhir Singh (Sikh)|Bhai Randhir Singh]], founder of the [[Akhand Kirtani Jatha]], did not consider the Raagmala to be ''[[gurbani]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Manmohan |date=April 1993 |title=Gurmat Rehat Maryada: The Points of Contention |url=https://www.akj.org/chapterdetail.php?bookid=MQ==&%20chapid=MQ== |access-date=29 December 2025 |website=Akhand Keertanee Jathaa |quote=By not reading Raag Mala, 'the Bhai Randhir's have attacked the purity and unity of Sri Guru Granth Sahib'.}}</ref> The group as a whole rejects the composition's authenticity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FAQ - What Is Raagmala? |url=https://www.akj.org/faq.php |access-date=30 December 2025 |website=Akhand Kirtani Jatha |quote=The Akhand Kirtani Jatha along with many other Gursikhs in the panth do not believe that Raagmala (which is a small composition appearing at the end of modern day saroops of Guru Sahib) was recited by any of the Gurus and thus is not Gurbani.}}</ref>

==Official SGPC standpoint on the ''Raagmala''==
Article XI (a) of the ''[[Sikh Rehat Maryada]]'' (SRM):<blockquote>The reading of the whole Guru Granth Sahib (intermittent or non-stop) may be concluded with the reading of Mundawani or the Rag Mala according to the convention traditionally observed at the concerned place. (Since there is a difference of opinion within the Panth on this issue, nobody should dare to write or print a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib excluding the Rag Mala). Thereafter, after reciting the Anand Sahib, the Ardas of the conclusion of the reading should be offered and the sacred pudding (Karhah Prashad) distributed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_three_chap_five.html |title=Sikh Reht Maryada, the Definition of Sikh, Sikh Conduct & Conventions, Sikh Religion Living, India |accessdate=2013-02-01 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130209065301/http://sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_three_chap_five.html |archivedate=2013-02-09 }}</ref></blockquote>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Mul Mantar and end of Ragamala from the Kartarpur Bir (manuscript or codex) of the Guru Granth Sahib.jpg|[[Mul Mantar]] and end of Ragamala from the ''Kartarpur Bir'' (circa 29 August 1604; the word "bir" means manuscript or codex) of the Guru Granth Sahib
File:Page showing the Ratanmala, Hakikat Rah Mukam Raja Shiv Nabh Ki, and Ragamala from a Guru Granth Sahib manuscript attributed to Baba Natha Singh.jpg|Page showing the Ratanmala, Hakikat Rah Mukam Raja Shiv Nabh Ki, and Ragamala (the first two being unauthenticated compositions, known as ''kachi bani'') from a Guru Granth Sahib manuscript attributed to Baba Natha Singh, pre-1708
File:Illuminated and illustrated Sikh scripture folio 04.jpg|Sikh [[Ragamala paintings]] from the last page of an illustrated [[Guru Granth Sahib]], which carries the last verse of the Ragmala in a tiny circle. The script is in the [[Paonta Sahib]] hand, circa 18th century
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Ragamala paintings]]
* [[Sikh music#Raag|Sikh Raags]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* Śabadārath Srī Gurū Granth Sāhib. Amritsar, 1964
* Shamsher Singh Ashok. Rāgmālā Nirṇai. Amritsar, n.d.
* Surindar Siṅgh Kohli. A Critical Study of Adi Granth. Delhi, 1961
* Max Arthur Macauliffe. The Sikh Religion: Its Gurus, Sacred Writings and Authors. Oxford, 1909
* Professor Sahib Singh. About the Compilation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib (Tr. Daljit Singh). Amritsar, 1996
* Madan Singh. Raag Maala - A Re-appraisal in the Context of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Amritsar, 2003.
* Taran Singh. Ragmala. The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism, Vol. III. Ed. Harbans Singh. Punjabi University, Patiala, 1997. P 426.
* Kavi Santokh Singh. Sri Gur Partap Suraj Granth. https://web.archive.org/web/20080905180746/http://www.ik13.com/Rasses/SGPS%20Raas%203.pdf

== External links ==
* [https://nitnemsahib.com/raag-mala-in-punjabi-gurmukhi/ Raag Mala in Punjabi, Hindi and English]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130209065301/http://sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_three_chap_five.html Sikh Rehat Maryada]
* [https://www.raagmalaisgurbani.com/ RaagmalaisGurbani] - pro-Raagmala website
* [https://raagmalainfo.com/ RaagmalaInfo] - anti-Raagmala website

{{Sikh Ragas}}

[[Category:Ragas in the Guru Granth Sahib|*]]
[[Category:Indian classical music]]
[[Category:Indian religious texts]]
[[Category:Music history of India]]
[[Category:Musical terminology]]

Rāgmala (Sikhism) - Revision history

Mdraselsarker: new basic entry initial version - done