Project Overview
Raga.fm is a generative music project by Ujjwal Agarwal that explores the deep-rooted philosophy of Indian classical ragas and their relationship with time. It features an intelligent algorithm that composes real-time melodic progressions based on ancient raga rules like aaroh, avroh, pakad, vadi, and samvadi. The system serves ragas appropriate to the listener’s current time of day, creating a meditative audio stream that feels personal and timeless. Complementing this digital experiment is Ujjwal’s ongoing attempt to build electro-acoustic instruments using solenoids, such as a modern jal tarang powered by an ESP32 microcontroller. These instruments create physical vibrations and real sounds, merging digital intelligence with traditional musical materiality. Together, the projects reflect Ujjwal’s fascination with time, sound, and computation — redefining how we experience classical music through code, interface, and tactility.
Expected Impact
Raga.fm aims to revive and reimagine the spiritual depth of Indian classical music through technology — offering generative raga compositions that respond to the listener’s time of day, rooted in ancient melodic rules. Paired with solenoid-driven electro-acoustic instruments like a reimagined jal tarang, the project creates a bridge between code and craft, sound and sensation. Its impact lies in making raga-based music more accessible, experiential, and emotionally resonant for contemporary audiences — inviting mindfulness, cultural reflection, and a renewed connection with time through sound.
Applicant Background
Ujjwal Agarwal is a generative artist, computational designer, and educator whose work bridges the worlds of art, technology, and algorithmic aesthetics. With a background in Computer Engineering from NIT Jaipur and an MA in Computational Arts from Goldsmiths, University of London, he has spent years refining a practice that explores emergent patterns, evolving systems, and the interplay between structure and randomness.