The Rag classification of Narad (Sangeet-Makrand) is:

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 2:
The Rag classification of Narad (Sangeet-Makrand) is **Stri-Purush-Napunsak Rag**. Narad's treatise, *Sangeet Makrand*, which dates to around the 8th century, is highly significant in the history of Indian Classical Music as it introduced the unique concept of classifying Ragas based on their inherent nature or "gender" as Male (*Purush*), Female (*Stri*), and Neuter (*Napunsak*) Ragas. This categorization was closely linked to the *Rasa* (aesthetic emotion) that the Raga evokes, suggesting a distinct personality or mood for each. For instance, *Purush* Ragas were associated with powerful emotions like *Veer* (valour), *Stri* Ragas with tender emotions like *Shringara* (love), and *Napunsak* Ragas with neutral or mixed emotions. This system formed the conceptual foundation for the later Raga-Ragini classification schemes seen in medieval musicology.

The incorrect option is 1:
**Dashvidh Rag** (Ten-Fold Classification) is considered a very ancient system of Raga classification, pre-dating the classification found in *Sangeet Makrand*. This classification primarily categorizes Ragas based on their melodic structure and origin into ten types, such as *Shuddha*, *Chayalaga*, *Salaga*, *Deshaja*, etc. It is part of the early structural approaches to Raga science, placing it chronologically before Narad’s innovative, temperament-based system. Therefore, while ancient, it is not the classification *specifically* attributed to Narad's seminal work.

The incorrect option is 3:
**Mel Rag** refers to the *Mela* or *Thaat* system, a parent scale from which Ragas are derived. This highly systematic classification was a major development during the medieval period (post-13th century). Important musicologists like Ramamatya and Venkatamakhi are credited with formalizing the Mela system. This framework for categorization, which defines Ragas based on their ascending and descending scales and the use of notes, chronologically follows Narad's work by several centuries.

The incorrect option is 4:
The **Shuddh-Chhayalag-Sankeern Rag** classification (Pure, Shadowed, and Mixed Ragas) is also an ancient system, and while mentioned in many texts including *Sangeet Makrand*, it is a broader framework rather than the unique and defining contribution of Narad that the question refers to. Narad’s primary distinction among the choices is the gender-based classification. *Shuddh* Ragas are independent, *Chhayalag* Ragas show the shadow of another Raga, and *Sankeern* Ragas are a mixture of more than two Ragas.