Which fact is false regarding the Ragas of North Indian Music according to Pt. Bhatkhande ?

Question

Accepted Answer

Option 2 is identified as the correct answer, which states that "Gandhar and Madhyam cannot be omitted together in a Raga." According to Pt. Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande, a prominent musicologist who systematized the study of North Indian classical music, this statement is false. Here's why:

1. **Explanation for Option 2:**
   - In the context of North Indian classical music, a Raga is a melodic framework that is characterized by specific rules regarding the use of notes (Swaras). While certain notes can be omitted to create different Ragas, the simultaneous omission of both Gandhar (Ga) and Madhyam (Ma) is not a standard practice. This is because these notes play a crucial role in defining the melodic structure and emotional expression of a Raga. Therefore, the statement that Gandhar and Madhyam cannot be omitted together is false, as there are Ragas where both these notes might be omitted, although such Ragas are rare.

2. **Explanation for Option 1:**
   - The statement "The Raga must originate from any Mel/Thaat" is true. According to Bhatkhande's system, every Raga is derived from a parent scale known as a Thaat. There are ten Thaats in Bhatkhande's classification, and each Raga is associated with one of these Thaats, which provides the foundational scale from which the Raga's notes are selected.

3. **Explanation for Option 3:**
   - The statement "Shuddha and Vikrit both forms of Swara are not used together" is incorrect. In many Ragas, both the Shuddha (natural) and Vikrit (altered) forms of a Swara can be used. For example, in Raga Yaman, both Shuddha Ni and Tivra Ma are used. Therefore, this statement does not hold true universally across all Ragas.

4. **Explanation for Option 4:**
   - The statement "At least five Swara is essential in the Raga" is true. According to the rules of Raga formation, a Raga must have at least five notes. This is a fundamental requirement, as a Raga with fewer than five notes would not provide enough melodic material to establish its identity and emotional character.

In summary, Option 2 is the correct answer because it presents a false statement regarding the omission of Gandhar and Madhyam together in a Raga, which is not a standard rule in the system of North Indian classical music as described by Pt. Bhatkhande.