Ragalakshanas (copy)

Mayamalavagaula:

• 15th melakartha raga

• Arohanam: S R G M P D N S

• Avarohanam: S N D P M G R S

• it is the 3rd raga in the 3rd chakra Agni

• Malavagaula was the original name for this raga. Maya was prefixed to the raga name, after 72 melakartha scheme

• This raga evokes pathos and creates a soothing effect on the listeners

• Bhariava Thaat of Hindusthani Music is similar to Mayamalavagaula

• This raga is selected to teach the fundamentals of music to the students.

• It is a major raga with many janya ragas. It has nearly 90 janya ragas.

• Ga and Ni are in the higher octave while rest are suddha or constant (pa and sa)

Example : the kriti, Vidulaku, by Thyagaraja in adi talam

Malahari

• It is a janya ragam which was derived from Mayamalavagaula (15th melakartha)

• arohana : S R M P D S

• avarohana : S D P M G R S

• Obviously discluding Shadja and Panchama, the notes are taken as Suddha Rishabha (R1), antara gandhara (G2), suddha madhyama (M1), and suddha dhaivata (D1). {only G is in 2nd octave}

• The notes Ga and Ni are deleted in arohana and the note Nishada is deleted in avarohana.

• it is an upanga raga (janya ragas which only take notes from parent raga)

• Malahari means “that which removes dirt”

• a raga described to the rainy season and when rain falls, all dirt is removed from buildings, roads, and atmosphere.

• This raga cleanses the mind of all evil thoughts

example : Geetham, Srigananatha by Purandara Dasa

Mohana

• A popular Janya raga derived from the 28th melakartha Hari Kambhoji

• Arohana : S R G P D S

• Avarohana : S D P G R S

• everything is suddha/constant besides Ri Ga and Da which are 2nd octave

• It is a varja raga where the notes ma and ni are deleted

• it is a symmetrical raga

• an upanga raga

• it can be sung at all times but night time is best suited for this raga

• It is an auspicious raga and Mangalams have been composed inthis raga

• a raga that is useful for being sung at the start of concerts

example: Varaveena (geetham) in Rupaka talam

Kalyani

• 65th melakartha raga ; sampoorna raga

• the most popular and well-known prathi-madhyama raga

• Arohana : S R G M P D N S

• Avaro : S N D P M G R S

• besides Sa and Pa, it is R2, G2, M2, D2, and N2

• it’s ri is taken from Harikamboji

• it’s ga is taken from Nathabalravi

• its pa is taken from Sankarabharana

• Janta svaras and datu svaras are prominent in this raga

• is a majestic raga

• well distributed

• can be sung at all time but the effect is decidedly better when sung in the evening

Example : Kamalajadala (triputa talam)

Sankarabharanam

• The most popular scale in all systems of the world

• Sampoorna raga

• a 29th mel

• Svaras: Shadja, R2, G2, M1, D2, N2

• Aro: SRGMPDNS

• Avaro: SNDPMGRS

• Bilaval is the equivalent Hindustani raga for sankarabharana

• In tamil music, Sambalai is the equivalent of this raga

• It is a raga for the mid-day

• a very popular rakti raga

Example: Sami Nine (Varna, adi talam, by Karur Dakahini, Murti)