In which group the Rag belongs to more than one Thaat?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 2:
The Ragas Bhimpalasi and Jaunpuri are part of the small group of ragas whose classification can differ between musicologists and schools of thought, thereby belonging to more than one Thaat. Raga Bhimpalasi is generally accepted as a derivative of the **Kafi Thaat** (which employs Komal Gandhar and Komal Nishad). However, its powerful melodic movement and the rare, yet significant, use of *Shuddha Nishad* in the ascent have led some to categorize it under the **Asavari Thaat**. Similarly, Raga Jaunpuri is a classic Asavari *janya* raga, but its typical execution—often minimizing the use of *Komal Dhaivat* and introducing *Shuddha Nishad* in the *Aroha* (ascent)—causes it to closely resemble the melodic structure of the **Kafi Thaat**. Because both ragas in this pair are credibly and widely assigned to different parent scales based on minor performance variations, this group fits the criteria of belonging to more than one *Thaat*.

The incorrect option is 1:
The group Bihag and Deskar does not exhibit *Thaat* ambiguity. Raga Bihag is firmly placed under the **Kalyan Thaat** (due to the use of *Tivra Madhyam* and *Shuddha Swars*), despite its characteristic omission of Re and Dha in ascent. Raga Deskar, conversely, is an unambiguous member of the **Bilawal Thaat** because it uses all *Shuddha Swars* and follows its clear melodic contour. The melodic rules (*Lakshanas*) of both Bihag and Deskar are highly stabilized and do not lend themselves to dual *Thaat* classification, making this option incorrect.

The incorrect option is 3:
This option is incorrect because both Ragas are unequivocally tied to a single *Thaat*. Raga Kamod is a well-known member of the expansive **Kalyan Thaat**, distinguished by its prominent use of *Tivra Madhyam* and specific *vakra* (zigzag) phrases. Raga Hindol, another classic morning raga, is also a clear *Janya* of the **Kalyan Thaat** and is instantly recognizable by its unique *Pancham* omission and *Tivra Madhyam*. There is no significant school of musicology that attributes either Kamod or Hindol to a second parent *Thaat*, as their structural components are fixed.

The incorrect option is 4:
The pair Darbari and Adana both have a clear origin in the same *Thaat*. Raga Darbari Kanhra is the definitive raga of the **Asavari Thaat** (using Komal Ga, Dha, Ni). Raga Adana is a *Kanada* variety that is directly derived from Darbari and, consequently, also belongs to the **Asavari Thaat**. While Adana is sung at a faster tempo and uses the *Komal* notes differently in its *chalan*, its fundamental *Thaat* classification remains firmly Asavari. Therefore, both ragas are derived from a single parent scale, making the option incorrect.