Which among the following is a "Vakra sampurna raga"?

Correct option is A

Correct Option: a)
A Vakra Raga in Indian classical music is a raga where the ascending (Aroha) or descending (Avaroha) scale does not proceed in a straightforward, sequential order.
Information Booster:
· The correct answer is Gaud Sarang.
· Among the given options, Gaud Sarang is renowned for its distinctive vakra (zigzag) pattern in its ascent.
· Its typical Aroha is S R M P N S', where the note Gandhar “Ga” is conspicuously omitted in the ascent, and the note Dhaivat “Dha” is also absent.
· However, more critically, some renderings and phrases involve a circuitous movement around Pancham “Pa” and Nishad “Ni”, making its overall contour non-linear.
· This skipping of swaras and the characteristic phrasing firmly place it in the category of Vakra Ragas.
· Yaman and Bilawal are classic examples of sampurna (complete) and straight (shuddha) ragas with perfectly sequential scales.
· Puriya Kalyan, while deeply expressive, does not typically have a vakra structure in its core scale definition.
Additional Knowledge:
· Yaman: A straight, complete (sampurna) raga with the scale S R G M P D N S'.
· Its ascent and descent are perfectly sequential.
· Bilawal: Considered the fundamental shuddha (pure) scale of Hindustani music, equivalent to the Western major scale ( S R G M P D N S').
· It is the epitome of a non-vakra, sequential raga.
· Puriya Kalyan: A compound raga that borrows from Puriya and Kalyan.
· Its scale ( S R G M^ P D N S') is generally sequential in its basic form, though its treatment involves subtle microtonal variations, not structural zigzags.