History & Origins
Puriya Dhanashree is a jod raga combining the austere Puriya with elements of Dhanashree. Unlike pure Puriya, it includes Pa, which grounds the raga and adds a quality of resolution alongside the searching quality of komal Re and tivra Ma. It is one of the most complex and rewarding of the evening ragas, associated with the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana in particular.
The Notes of Raga Puriya Dhanashree
Raga Puriya Dhanashree is a Shadava-Sampurna raga, meaning it uses shadava-sampurna notes. The ascending and descending movements of the raga are defined below. In Indian classical notation, lowercase letters indicate flattened (komal) notes, and t superscript indicates a sharpened (tivra) note.
The Characteristic Phrase (Pakad)
The pakad is the signature melodic gesture of a raga: the phrase that immediately identifies it to an experienced listener. For Raga Puriya Dhanashree, the pakad is:
Performance
A performance of Puriya Dhanashree must navigate the balance between the compound raga's two personalities: Puriya's stark searching and Dhanashree's richer colours. The inclusion of Pa (absent in pure Puriya) provides an anchor that allows the raga to move through a wider emotional range. The characteristic phrase Ni re Ga Ma(t) Pa is the clearest expression of this balance.
Spiritual Significance
Puriya Dhanashree sits at the twilight hour (the sandhi, the junction) and carries that hour's emotional complexity: the beauty of what is ending, the anticipation of what is coming, the particular heightened awareness that liminal moments produce. Its shringara is touched with karuna; its karuna is touched with beauty.
Notable Performers
- Pandit Jasraj (celebrated recordings)
- Kishori Amonkar
- Ustad Amir Khan
- Mallikarjun Mansur
Famous Compositions
- Several celebrated Khayal compositions of the Jaipur-Atrauli tradition
- Compositions by Pandit Jasraj