New Delhi, Sept. 13 -- Hindustani classical vocalist Ronkini Gupta sings Ae Ri Aali Piya Bin, a Raag Yaman bandish, and then explains it to the audience of about 40 gathered in an elegant living room in Delhi's Vasant Kunj.

Typically sung in teen taal, or a 16-beat cycle, this evening raag's bandish (song) is taught to students of Hindustani classical music along with Raag Bhairav, a morning raag. Given that raags are set in prahar, or a period of 24 hours divided into eight segments, students are taught a variety of raags as per the time of the day. "It's another matter that you can give a lifetime to exploring every swar (note) in just one raag," explains Gupta.

Accompanied by Ashish Ragwani on tabla and Deepak Avinash Marathe on the ...