Musical Anatomy
Thaat
Kafi
Jati
Sampoorna
Time
Night
Vadi
Pa
Samvadi
Sa
Nature
Romantic, Rajasthani, night
Arohana (Ascent)
Sa Re ga Ma Pa Dha ni Ṡa▲Avarohana (Descent)
Ṡa▲ ni Dha Pa Ma ga Re SaPakad (Characteristic Phrase)
Re ga Ma Pa, ni Dha Pa Ma ga Re SaNotation guide
Sorath is a Rajasthani folk raga related to Kafi. It is deeply romantic and has influenced many folk and film songs.
Legend & Lore
Sorath takes its name from the Saurashtra (Sorath) region of Gujarat and Rajasthan, reflecting the deep folk-musical heritage of the desert west where bardic traditions sung tales of separation and longing through the night.
The raga carries echoes of legendary love narratives — particularly stories of reunion across impossible distances — that were the lifeblood of itinerant Rajasthani poet-musicians.
Melodically related to Kafi, it deploys komal Ga and komal Ni with a lyrical movement naturally suited to thumri and ghazal forms.
Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan elevated Sorath to classical heights while preserving its folk warmth, and the raga has deeply influenced both regional and Hindi film music traditions over the past century.
Knowledge Deep-Dive
Test Your Knowledge
1. What is the vadi of Sorath?
2. Sorath's name derives from which geographical region of India?
3. Which legendary vocalist is most associated with elevating Sorath to classical status?
Discover More Songs in Sorath
Discover More Songs in Sorath
Many Hindi film songs blend multiple raags across their mukhda and antara. When searching, you may discover songs primarily in other raags that share Sorath's emotional palette — that's intentional cross-raag composition by the music director.