Gurjari (raga)

Gurjari also known as Gujari, Gujri, or Gujari todi is an Indian classical music raga.^[1] In south India, the raga is called Shekharachandrika. This raga has Tivra Ma, and Komal Re, Dha and Ga. The Bandish - 'Bhor Bhaye Todi Baat' sung by Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan is based on this raga.

ThaatTodi

Time of dayLate morning, 9–12

Arohana

S Ṟ G̱ M̄ Ḏ N Ṡ

Avarohana

Ṡ N Ḏ M̄ G̱ Ṟ S

Quick facts Thaat, Time of day ...

Gurjari, Gujari, Gujri

Thaat	Todi
Time of day	Late morning, 9–12
Arohana	S Ṟ G̱ M̄ Ḏ N Ṡ
Avarohana	Ṡ N Ḏ M̄ G̱ Ṟ S
Vadi	Ḏ
Samavadi	Ṟ
Synonym	Gujari Todi Gurjari Todi
Similar	Miyan ki Todi

Origin

The contemporary sources, like Guru Granth Vishvakosh state that Gujari Raag originated from traditional songs of the Gurjar community, who've lived in the Punjab region and nearby areas for centuries and, influencing local Indian music.^[2]

Sikh scholar Taran Singh, said that the name of Raga is originated from the Gurjar jati (caste).^[3]

According to Ashwini Kumar, The name of raga is originated from the Gurjar tribe of Punjab region.^[4]^[5] Scholar "O. Gosvami", and some other also agree that name is derived from the Gurjar community.^[6]^[7]^[8]

Some other scholars have varying opinions on the Gujari Raga's origin, but lack concrete evidence. Some linked its origin to Gujarat state, while others say it was created by Mirg Naini, a Queen of Maan Singh Tomar.^[9] These all theories are speculative, lacking concrete evidence. According Françoise Delvoye, Gurjari raga's name is from their formal inhabitation of Gujarata, India.^[10]

Forms

Gujari/Gurjari or Gujri Raga has almost nine different forms (types) found in ancient Indian musical text that are as follows:^[11]

Maharashtra Gujari
Dakhan Gujari
Dravidian Gujari
Uttara Gujari
Saurashtra Gujari
Mangala Gujari
Ramkali Gujari
Bahula Gujari
Syam Gujari

References

[1]
O. Gosvami (1978). The story of Indian music: its growth and synthesis. Scholarly Press. p. 72. ISBN 0403015677. ISBN 978-0-403-01567-2.
[2]
Singh, Dr Manjit (10 December 2025). Decoding the Musical Signatures of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. BlueRose Publishers Pvt Ltd.
[3]
Society, Pakistan Historical (1988). Journal of the Pakistan Historical Society: volume 36. Pakistan Historical Society. p. 5. As far as rāga Gujri is concerned, the famous Sikh scholar and theologian Taran Singh writes that it is the raga of the Gujari jati gavāri, 16 (the wandering tribes of the Gujars), and that it is sung in the morning watch.
[4]
Kumar, Ashwini (1977). Casual Symphony. Kalyani Publishers. p. 36. The Gujari Raga owes its origin to the Gujar tribe of the Punjab, and so does Raga Sohni which is intimately associated with the legend of Sohni Mehiwal.
[5]
Chandraveena. (2021, May 23). Raga Gurjari Todi – a jod Raga? Chandraveena. https://www.chandraveena.com/blog/r18-gurjari-todi/
[6]
Gosvami, O. (1978). The Story of Indian Music: Its Growth and Synthesis. Scholarly Press. p. 72. ISBN 978-0-403-01567-2.
[7]
Singha, Surindara Pala (2004). Inner Dynamics of Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Nanak Dev University. p. 57. ISBN 978-81-7770-115-9. Raga Gujari: This raga has been developed from the tribe of Gurjaras" popularly known as Gujar. This tribe has given to India the state called Gujarat. Gujarat is district headquarter in West Punjab (Pakistan).
[8]
Congress, International Musicological Society (1981). Compte Rendu: Kongressbericht. Bärenreiter. p. 604. ISBN 978-3-7618-0649-4.
[9]
Singh, Dr Manjit (10 December 2025). Decoding the Musical Signatures of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. BlueRose Publishers Pvt Ltd. pp. 103–104. Some of the earliest and ancient musicology texts describe this Raag. However, scholars have differing views regarding its origin. According to some, this Raag originated in Gujarat and was named Gujari. According to others, this Raag was composed by Mrig Naini, the Gujari queen of Maharaja Man Singh Tomar of Gwalior. However, due to the lack of any concrete evidence, scholars consider these views to be mere speculations. According to the Guru Granth Vishvakosh, "Its original source is considered to be the folk songs of the Gujjar caste. Members of the Gujjar caste specifically have resided in Punjab and its adjoining territories for many centuries, leading to the rise of this Raag in the surrounding areas."
[10]
Delvoye, Françoise (2013). New Developments in Asian Studies. Routledge. p. 344. ISBN 9781136174704.
[11]
Singh, Dr Manjit (10 December 2025). Decoding the Musical Signatures of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. BlueRose Publishers Pvt Ltd.

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Origin

Forms

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References

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