Question

Write in notation a Maseetkhani Gat with four todas in any one raga of the prescribed syllabus.

Hint:

Maseetkhani Gat → Vilambit Teentaal → Main melody + 4 Todas + Tihai.

Answer 1

A Maseetkhani Gat is a slow, vilambit composition used in sitar playing.
It is played in Teentaal (16 beats) and known for its graceful, dignified style.
The main Gat includes melodic phrases (Bol) with intricate rhythmic patterns.
Each Toda is a short rhythmic piece that elaborates the Gat, often ending in a Tihai.
Below is an example structure for a Maseetkhani Gat in Raga Yaman:
Gat (Main): Dha Ra Dha Ra Re Sa, Sa Re Ga Ma, Pa Ma Ga Re, Sa Ni Dha Pa.
Toda 1: Ga Ma Dha, Ni Dha Pa Ma, Ga Re Sa Dha | Ti Ti Ti (Tihai).
Toda 2: Re Ga Ma Ga, Re Sa Dha Pa, Dha Ni Sa Re | Ti Ti Ti (Tihai).
Toda 3: Ma Ga Re Sa, Ni Dha Pa Ma, Re Ga Ma Pa | Ti Ti Ti (Tihai).
Toda 4: Ga Ma Pa Dha, Ni Sa Re Ga, Ma Pa Dha Ni | Ti Ti Ti (Tihai).
Each Toda should fit into the Teentaal cycle and resolve on Sam.
Students may improvise with variations but must maintain the raga’s mood.