Durga is a pentatonic Raga, i.e it has five notes, S, R, M, P, D, S. All the notes are shuddha or sharp. It is a late evening Raga. More information on the Raga here.

There are many renditions in Durga. Sometimes compositions in the Raga invoke the Goddess of the same name, though not always. Below are some recordings of Durga. I wouldn’t advise listening to them all together, but over a few days.

Instrumental:

Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan: Sitar and Sarod-Raga Durga:

Adnan Sami and Ustad Zakir Hussain Piano and Tabla, Raga Durga:

Ustad Sultan Khan and Marco Salaun: Sarangi-Guitar Jugalbandi-Pentatonic Devotion: Raga Durga:

Improvisations On An Indian Theme Raga Durga: Vladislav Andonov – viola, Vesela Geleva – harp, Stefan Dalchev – piano:

Vocal:

Pandit Nirmalya De is a Dhrupad singer and sings the Raga Durga in Dhrupad style. The composition is by Tansen.

Pandits Rajan and Sajan Mishra-Jai Jai Durge Mata-Raga Durga:

Pandit Venkatesh Kumar-Durga-Eri Dhan Dhan Bhag Mori (concert available from sangeethamshare.org/murthy)

Vidushi Padma Talwalkar, Sakhi Mori Rum Jhum, followed by Tarana-Raga Durga:

Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty, Raga Durga:

Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Tu Ras Kan Re followed by Chatura Sughara Baalama-Raga Durga:

Pandit Kumar Gandharva, Amona Re, Raga Durga:

Vidushi Gangubai Hangal, Raga Durga:

Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur, Roopa Jo Bana Raga Durga:

Ustad Salamat Ali Khan: Raga Durga:

Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan -Jai Durge Durgati-Raga Durga:

Related Posts:

• Introducing Yourself to Indian Classical Music 13-What’s your frequency? The Tanpura/Tambura and finding your Sur, Shruti or Pitch
• Sa and Pa not always fixed?
• What is a Raga (8)?: The Chalan (characteristic phrases) of a Raga
• What is a Raga (7): The Pakad or the “Grip” of a Raga
• Jai Sharada Bhawani-Ustad Rashid Khan