The earliest recorded mention of the word “raga” in its modern connotation is found in the classical Sanskrit text Brihaddeshi, composed by the sage Matanga around the 8th century CE. This foundational work on Indian musicology defines raga as “a combination of tones which, with beautiful illuminating graces, pleases people.”
Matanga’s Brihaddeshi marks a significant turning point in the history of Indian classical music. It laid the groundwork for how ragas are understood today—not merely as scales, but as expressive melodic frameworks capable of evoking emotion and beauty. This nuanced understanding has influenced centuries of musical tradition, both in Hindustani and Carnatic styles.
The treatise bridges the gap between ancient Vedic chant traditions and the more developed melodic systems that followed, helping to establish raga as the soul of Indian music. Music scholars regard Brihaddeshi as a milestone in music theory, where artistic grace and technical structure were first consciously united in a single concept.
The legacy of Matanga’s definition endures, with ragas remaining central to Indian classical performance even today—each one a melodic journey that continues to captivate hearts across generations.
