Tilang is a Rare Raga, as far as Carnatic music is concerned, but popular in light music. It is a joyful raga, full of life, fun and sweetness. Its origin is from Hindustani music; not much time it has been adopted to carnatic music as such, with same notes. The Hindustani raga contains the notes: S G m P N S' - S' n P m G S (ni Sa Ga Ma Pa Ni SA // RE SA Ni(k) Pa Ma Ga Sa). It shows both Nishadams (N3 and N2); the same structure has been retained in carnatic also.
S G3 M1 P N3 S // S N2 P M1 G3 S
Kakali Nishadam(N3) is found in the Arohanam, while Avarohanam contains Kaishiki Nishadam(N2), hence it is a bhashanga janya raga of:
1. Mela (28) Harikambhoji, N3 being considered anyaswara, or
2. Mela (29) Sankarabharanam, or mela (30) NAganandini, N2 being anyaswara.
(Here, I have followed the rule applied to ragam Bhairavi, containing D2 in arohanam and D1 in avarohanam; designated as janya of mela (20) NaTabhairavi, with D2 as anyaswara. Hence considered janya of Harikambhoji mela).
In Hindustani music, Tilang belongs to the Khamaj that, there are so many film and light songs in this raga. It comes from folk music and is also a big favourite for light classical, hymns and prayers, and movie adaptations. A flexible raga, suited for Classical and Light Classical music, it is very apt for film songs, owing to the simplicity of its tonal patterns and endearing note combinations. It is effective when sung during the evenings. Sometimes in Tilang pieces, there may be a bouquet of phrasings demonstrating the possibilities of the co-existence of the two Nishadas. Often, in film songs Tilang becomes Misra Tilang. The famous ragam, Jog, takes Tilang as its base (Jog is considered to be the Hindustani equivalent for ragam Nattai).
JOG:- S G3 M1 P N3 S // S N2 P M1 G3 M1 G3 S G3 S
In music therapy, Tilang finds applications to lower blood pressure; also promotes deep relaxation.
Compositions:
Bhaja bhaja mAnasa - Kamlesha vittaldasa
Maha Ganapate - Dayananda Saraswathi
Om shiva shankara (bhajan)
PrativAram vAram - Sadasiva Bruhmendra
Prabho Ganapathe - Agasthiyar
Rama Rama Rama Sita - Purandaradasar
Siddhi vinayakane - ?
Sree Ganesha charanam - Papanasam Sivan
Shanthi nilava vendum - Namakkal Ramalingam Pillai
TAraka bindige - Purandaradasar
Namo Ganaraya - abhang
Thillana - Lalgudi G.Jayaraman
We shall take up the Papanasam Sivan krithi, ‘Sree Ganesha charanam”; a composition in Tamil on lord Vinayaka.
Meaning: “I surrender to you Ganesha, Gajaanana (elephant-faced), worshipped by Devas and sages, dayakara!!
He, adorned with snake, praised by the four Vedas, Pranava (Om) shaped, victorious!!
Ramadasan has faith in you; lover of Modhaka, Gowri’s (Parvathi) son! First of Devas, if your grace isn’t there, what work Brahma and Vishnu can do?”