Ragini Todi - Some Varieties

The Ragini Todi has a "Thaat" all to herself in the 10 "Thaat" classification system of Hindustani Music. The Iconography of Ragini Todi in the Ragamala Paintings show a lone lady with a musical instrument accompanied with a couple of Deers. The ragas called Miya ki Todi & Darbari Todi are so close to it as to be practically indistinguishable.

One common variant of Todi is Gurjari Todi, which drops the Pancham of the parent Ragini.

Another variant, Bhopal Todi, drops both Madhyam & Nishad to make it a pentatonic raga.

Bilaskhani Todi actually uses the swaras of Bhairavi, but with a zig-zag movement in the descent, the ascent being the same as Bhopal Todi.

Pandit Jasraj has popularised a rare variety called Jaiwanti todi, which also uses the notes of Nat Bhairavi, but in a zig-zag way both in the ascent & descent.

Another very rare variety, Lachari Todi is used in Ray's "Apur Sansar" to denote the Apu - Aparna relationship.