Asa (raga)
Asa is a Sikh raga from the Gurmat Sangeet tradition, the musical style used by the Sikh Gurus in Gurbani. It is part of the daily prayers sung in Sikh gurdwaras and is included in the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy scripture where 60 ragas have equal importance.
Asa belongs to the Bilawal Thaat and is described as a vakra (crooked) raga, meaning its melodies move in a zigzag pattern and certain notes are approached from specific positions. It has primary and secondary notes that guide how it is sung. Its variants, Kafi and Asavari, share many features with Asa.
The raga originated in 16th‑century Punjab as part of Gurmat Sangeet and was developed by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and later Gurus, drawing on Punjab’s folk tunes. Asa is associated with feelings of inspiration, courage, determination, and the energy to take action to achieve goals.
In Hindustani music, Majh Khamaj exists but does not resemble Gurmat’s Asa. Asa appears in Gurbani hymns within Sri Guru Granth Sahib and is used in Shabad Reet compositions that are popular in the tradition.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 11:06 (CET).