How can elements of raga music influence a signature sound?

Harsha Jerome Senaviratne

This master's thesis is on incorporating elements of traditional music, specifically Raga Bhairav and Bhairavi, into contemporary music production. The thesis investigates how these elements can enhance the signature sound of modern compositions and impact the composer's artistic expression. The research questions explore the advantages and challenges of integrating traditional music elements into modern compositions and advocating cultural exchange and understanding. The thesis will use artistic development work, which combines artistic endeavors and scholarly research, as its method. The aim is to ensure the highest quality of artistic practice, meeting the same quality standards and academic achievements as other scientific activities. This study will provide insight into the potential impact of raga scales on modern compositions and contribute to the ongoing discourse on incorporating traditional music into contemporary music production.

Figure 2. Me performing at Dølajazz, 2021, by Bjørn Tore Paulen

1. Introduction

Having received five years of instruction in Eastern music at a private Sri Lankan school,

the piano has been my instrument of choice since my first year in high school. Upon

moving to Norway, I actively participated in musical ensembles featuring multiple

instruments while delving deeper into music theory during my classes. This newfound

knowledge enabled me to arrange and compose music, which has been a fulfilling

creative outlet. In high school, I developed a passion for jazz and joined the Molde

Youth Big Band. Collaborating with other instrumentalists has been the most rewarding

aspect of my musical journey, mainly when performing pieces I have composed, arranged,

or created. Fortunately, I have had the opportunity to work with Jan Gunnar Hoff since

arriving in Kristiansand in 2018. As a pianist and composer, Hoff's eclectic fusion

of musical genres and cultures hasgreatly inspired me, encouraging me to take risks

and incorporate my experiences from Sri Lanka into my artistry.

This study is a part of my artistic research project for my master’s thesis, in which I

explorethe use of ragas in composing. Specifically, I focus on how they can be used to

create my signature sound in compositions. Ragas are complex structures with many

instrumentational possibilities and different moods. With around 83 ragas in Indian

classical music (The Times of India, 2016), this thesis focuses on Raga Bhairav and

Bhairavi. I intend to examine the concept of sound and how I have used this knowledge

to develop my signature sound.

My ambition is to compose music that reflects the two distinct cultures which have

shaped my identity; the traditional and vibrant folk music of Sri Lanka and the modern jazz

music I have encountered since relocating to Norway in 2011. I aspire to devise

something unique and demonstrate how my cultural history has impacted me in novel

ways. However, as I have observed through dialogue amongst my peers, I acknowledge a

need for information and recognition of my home country, Sri Lanka, and the need for

more comprehension of its long-standing musical heritage. Consequently, I plan to

construct a bridge between my past and present lives through music, with the ideal of the

musical product as an artistic merging of these two cultures.

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