A raga is a piece of Indian music based on a traditional scale or pattern of notes which is also called a raga.
raga in British English
(ˈrɑːɡə)
noun(in Indian music)
1.
any of several conventional patterns of melody and rhythm that form the basis for freely interpreted compositions. Each pattern is associated with different aspects of religious devotion
2.
a composition based on one of these patterns
Word origin
C18: from Sanskrit rāga tone, colour
raga in American English
(ˈrɑgə)
noun
any of a large number of traditional melody patterns with characteristic intervals, rhythms, and embellishments, used by Hindu musicians as source material for improvisation
Word origin
Sans rāga, lit., color, akin to rajayati, (he) dyes < IE base *reg-, to color > Gr rhegma, dyed material