When, on a fretted plucked instrument, a note is struck and the
string is pulled outwards or transversely across a fret to reach a
higher note or several higher notes from that single stroke, it is
called a Meend (pronounced as meenrh). This definition is applicable
to the Sitar, Surbahar, various types of Veenas and other fretted
instruments. However, the term meend now has a wider implication. It
is generally understood as a glide from one note to another, not only
on the sitar or other such fretted instruments but also on other
instruments as well as vocal music.
Different kinds of meends form the single most important component
in raga sangeet and other forms of Indian music. Ghaseet and Soonth
also belong to the Meend family. Overall, the Meend is one of the
most difficult elements in raga music. Proper rendition of meends
not only depends on the accuracy of the starting and ending swars
but also on the exacting knowledge of the kan-swars of the ragas,
the speed of these meends and the accents on intermediate swars.
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This is a short alaap in raga Kafi Kanhada by
ITC SRA Guru, Buddhadev Das Gupta where he employs and executes
different meends in the three octaves. |
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Here is a meend-based dhrupad, Adham
Udhaarini Maan Suni Kai, in Chhayanat set to Chautala (although
without percussion accompaniment), performed by our
Guru-Prefect, Falguni Mitra. |
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Types of Meend (khayal/dhrupad/instrumental)
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