Malahari

Malahari
ArohanamS R₁ M₁ P D₁ Ṡ
AvarohanamṠ D₁ P M₁ G₃ R₁ S

Malahari is a Carnatic raga. This raaga is a janya of the 15th Melakarta raga Mayamalavagowla. This raga is known to be a morning raga which brings out a sense of calmness.[1] It is associated with the rainy season.[2]

In classical carnatic training, it is often used as a raaga for beginners using geetha right after the swara-based exercises in Mayamalavagowla. Many of the Geethas in this raga have been composed by Purandara Dasa.

Ascending scale with C as Shadjam (tonic note)

Structure and Lakshana

Descending scale has one extra note G3

This raga is an asymmetric scale and is classified as an audava-shadava raga (five notes in the ascending scale and six notes in the descending scale).[1][2]

The notes in this scale are shuddha rishabha, shuddha madhyama, shuddha dhaivata in arohana and additional antara gandhara in avarohana. Since this scale does not have a nishadha, it can be derived from Gayakapriya (13th melakarta) or Vakulabharanam (14th) too, but has been traditionally associated with Mayamalavagowla (15th) as the parent.

Notes

  1. ↑ Alternate notations:
    • Hindustani: S Ṟ M P Ḏ Ṡ
    • Western: C D♭ F G A♭ C
  2. ↑ Alternate notations:
    • Hindustani: Ṡ Ḏ P M G Ṟ S
    • Western: C A♭ G F E D♭ C

References

  1. 1 2 Raganidhi by P. Subba Rao, Pub. 1964, The Music Academy of Madras
  2. 1 2 Ragas in Carnatic music by Dr. S. Bhagyalekshmy, Pub. 1990, CBH Publications