In India, the common house crow (kaga or kagwa in hindi) is a widespread resident, except in high altitudes and dense forests. It is wholly dependent on human habitation for it's survival. This highly vocal bird is seemingly unafraid of humans. Aggressive, it will attack and chase off any large bird of prey. Strangely, the crow has been given a place of pride in our classical music. For reasons unknown it has played the role of a lover's messenger ("Ja Kaga Ja"), which in many a lyrical khayals, is even promised a 'gold plated beak' in return of favours rendered ("Ab Ke Sawan Ghar Aaja"). Pigeons, the otherwise commonly known messenger birds, have been given a back seat here.
Almost all vocalists have pleaded with this glossy black bird to pass on a message, in all Ragas possible, RagaDesi, Bageshri and Pahadi being the more common ones, although other Ragas are not being discounted.
2 comments:
WOnderful .Its so unique and refreshing to note that the crow is given a place of importance in music.Thank you .
Deepa
And of course Bhimpalasi too - in at least two bandishes, sung by CR Vyas and Veena Sahasrabuddhe
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