Musical Anatomy
Thaat
Bilawal
Jati
Audav
Time
Night
Vadi
Ga
Samvadi
Ni
Nature
Heroic, festive, bright
Arohana (Ascent)
Sa Re Ga Pa Ni Ṡa▲Avarohana (Descent)
Ṡa▲ Ni Pa Ga Re SaPakad (Characteristic Phrase)
Ga Pa Ni Sa, Ni Pa Ga Re SaNotation guide
Notable Compositions
Raga attributions for film songs, ghazals, and semi-classical pieces are often disputed. Composers may draw from a raga without strictly adhering to it. Treat these as approximate — we show a confidence indicator on each entry.
"Raat kali ek khwaab mein aayi, aur gal se lipat gayi"
Nat · 2 compositions
Nat is an ancient raga with a heroic, festive character. It forms part of several compound ragas like Nat Bhairav.
Legend & Lore
Nat is one of the most ancient ragas in the Hindustani tradition, its name derived from 'nata' meaning performer or actor, suggesting roots in the theatrical and dance traditions of classical India described in the Natyashastra.
It is a pentatonic night raga of the Bilawal thaat, characterised by heroic, festive energy rendered through bold, direct phrases without elaborate ornamentation.
Nat's greatest historical significance may be its role as a parent in celebrated compound ragas — Nat Bhairav, Nat Malhar, and Nat Narayani — each of which grafts Nat's vigorous character onto another raga's emotional world.
The raga is most at home in the dhrupad style, where its stately, unadorned character finds its most natural expression.
Pandit Jasraj and the Dagar brothers have rendered celebrated performances.
Knowledge Deep-Dive
Test Your Knowledge
1. The name 'Nat' is derived from a Sanskrit word meaning what?
2. Which of the following is a well-known compound raga that uses Nat as one of its components?
3. In which genre of Hindustani vocal music does Raga Nat find its most natural expression?
Discover More Songs in Nat
Discover More Songs in Nat
Many Hindi film songs blend multiple raags across their mukhda and antara. When searching, you may discover songs primarily in other raags that share Nat's emotional palette — that's intentional cross-raag composition by the music director.