Yaman advanced Scale: F

Mohe Rang Do Laal — Harmonium Notes

Play Mohe Rang Do Laal from Bajirao Mastani on harmonium.

How to Play Mohe Rang Do Laal on Harmonium

Mohe Rang Do Laal is a stunning classical composition from the film Bajirao Mastani that showcases the full beauty of Raga Yaman in a cinematic setting. Learning the harmonium notes for this song challenges advanced players with its wide range and intricate ornamentation. Set your harmonium to F and follow the sargam notation below to play Mohe Rang Do Laal on harmonium.

Song Background

Mohe Rang Do Laal was composed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali for his 2015 epic film “Bajirao Mastani,” set in the 18th-century Maratha Empire. The song was performed by Shreya Ghoshal, with the on-screen dance sequence featuring Deepika Padukone as Mastani performing a classical Kathak piece at the Maratha court. The title means “Color me red, O beloved” — a reference to the red color of love and married life. Bhansali, known for his deep appreciation of Indian classical music, crafted this composition as a faithful exploration of Raga Yaman with the full complexity of its classical phrasing, taans (fast passages), and ornamental movements. The song is set in Teentaal (16 beats), giving it a majestic, courtly quality. It won numerous awards and is considered one of the finest examples of classical music in contemporary Bollywood. For harmonium players, this is an advanced piece that demands confident command of the entire Yaman scale across two octaves.

Complete Sargam Notation

Below are the harmonium notes in sargam notation for the main melody. This is an advanced arrangement with wide melodic range.

SargamLyrics
Ni Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa’ Ni Dha PaMohe Rang Do Laal
Ma Ga Re Sa Ni Re Ga Re SaMohe Rang Do Laal
Pa Dha Ni Sa’ Re’ Sa’ Ni Dha Pa MaAaj Ki Raat Rang Le
Ga Ma Pa Ma Ga Re Sa Ni SaMohe Rang Do Laal
Ni Re Ga Ma Pa Ma Ga Re SaMora Jiya Rani Rang De
Pa Dha Ni Sa’ Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga ReMain To Rani Rang Jaaungi
Ni Re Ga Ma Dha Pa Ma Ga Re SaHoli Khelat Hain
Pa Ma Ga Re Sa Ni Sa Re GaNand Ke Laal

Raga Context

Mohe Rang Do Laal is an advanced composition in Raga Yaman, showcasing the raga’s full range and expressive potential. Yaman uses all natural notes except tivra (sharp) Ma, and this song explores the raga across nearly two complete octaves. While simpler Yaman songs may use a limited note range, this composition demands facility with the lower Ni, the entire middle octave, and the upper Sa-Re-Ga territory. The raga creates an atmosphere of romantic yearning and courtly elegance perfectly suited to the film’s 18th-century setting. The characteristic ascending phrase Ni Re Ga Ma and the majestic descent from upper Sa through Dha Pa Ma Ga are both prominently featured. At advanced tempo with ornamental passages, this song becomes a true test of Yaman proficiency. Study the raga theory on our Yaman raga page.

Step-by-Step Practice Guide

  1. Set your scale. Tune to F or use web harmonium to find a key that suits your voice and range.
  2. Warm up with the full Yaman scale. This song uses nearly two octaves. Play Ni Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa’ Re’ ascending and Re’ Sa’ Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Re Sa Ni descending until both feel smooth.
  3. Learn the opening phrase. Ni Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa’ Ni Dha Pa — this sweeping ascent followed by an immediate descent is the signature line. Practice it as one flowing unit, breathing at the top.
  4. Master the resolution. Ma Ga Re Sa Ni Re Ga Re Sa — the descent below Sa to lower Ni and then the characteristic Ni Re Ga turnaround is pure Yaman grammar. Isolate and repeat this until it is instinctive.
  5. Work on the upper register. Pa Dha Ni Sa’ Re’ Sa’ Ni Dha Pa Ma reaches into the upper octave. Your right hand may need to stretch. Practice finding upper Re’ and Sa’ quickly and accurately.
  6. Add speed gradually. This song has passages that move at tempo (Teentaal at performance speed). Start at half tempo and increase by 10% increments. Speed should come from familiarity, not force.
  7. Practice ornamental touches. Advanced players should add meend (glides) between Ga and Ma, and kan swar (grace notes) before landing on important notes. These ornaments transform the basic melody into a classical performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What scale should I use for Mohe Rang Do Laal? F is the standard scale. Use the scale selector on web harmonium to adjust. The harmonium notes and sargam notation work identically in any key.

Is this song suitable for beginners? No. This is rated advanced because of its wide melodic range, fast passages, and the need for ornamental expression. Beginners should first master simpler Yaman songs like Achutam Keshavam before attempting this.

What other songs use Raga Yaman? Yaman is the most popular raga for compositions at every level. On this site, start with Achutam Keshavam (beginner), progress to Chhap Tilak (intermediate), and then attempt this song as an advanced Yaman piece.

Related Content