Dharmavati

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Dharmavati
ArohanamS R₂ G₂ M₂ P D₂ N₃ 
Avarohanam N₃ D₂ P M₂ G₂ R₂ S

Dharmavati is a rāgam in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is the 59th Melakarta rāgam in the 72 melakarta rāgam system of Carnatic music. It is called Dhaamavati in Muthuswami Dikshitar school of Carnatic music.[1][2] Madhuvanti is the nearest Hindustani music scale to Dharmavati.[2]

Structure and Lakshana[edit]

Dharmavati scale with Shadjam at C

It is the 5th rāgam in the 10th chakra Disi. The mnemonic name is Disi-Ma. The mnemonic phrase is sa ri gi mi pa dhi nu.[1] Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure (ascending and descending scale) is as follows (see swaras in Carnatic music for details on below notation and terms):

(the notes in this scale are chathusruthi rishabham, sadharana gandharam, prati madhyamam, chathusruthi dhaivatham, kakali nishadham)

As it is a melakarta rāgam, by definition it is a sampoorna rāgam (has all seven notes in ascending and descending scale). It is the prati madhyamam equivalent of Gourimanohari, which is the 23rd melakarta.

Janya rāgams[edit]

Dharmavati has a few janya rāgams (derived scales) associated with it, of which Madhuvanti, Ranjani and Vijayanagari are popular in concerts. See List of janya rāgams for all rāgams associated with Dharmavati.

Compositions[edit]

Here are a few common compositions sung in concerts, set to Dharmavati.

Mullai Oorntha, ancient Tamil Sangam period Kuruntokai poetry was set to Dharmavati ragam by Composer Rajan in the album Sandham- Symphony Meets Classical Tamil. Notable film composers like T.G.Lingappa, Ilaiyaraja and later A. R. Rahman have composed film songs based on the scale of Dharmavati. T.G.Lingappa composed song such as 'kanasalli bandavanyare' (Shruti seridaga). Ilaiyaraja composed songs such as 'Meendum Meedum Vaa' (Vikram), 'Andhela Ravamidhi', (Swarna Kamalam), 'Vaanaville' (Ramana), 'Nataraaja paadaalu' (Aalaapana) in this raaga while Rahman composed "Ottagathai Kattiko", in the 1993 Tamil film Gentleman, based on the Dharmavati scale.

Film Songs[edit]

Language:Tamil[edit]

Song Movie Composer Singer
Kaadhal Kaadhal Endru Pesa Uttharavindri Ulle Vaa M. S. Viswanathan P. Susheela,M. L. Srikanth
Ammaanai Avan Oru Sarithiram T. M. Soundararajan, Vani Jayaram
Hello My Dear Wrong Number Manmadha Leelai K.J. Yesudas, L. R. Eswari
Mella Pesungal Pirar Kasethan Kadavulada Kovai Soundarajan, L. R. Eswari
Oomai Pennai Pesa Sonnal Alaigal S. Janaki
Kaalai Maalai Gnana Paravai K. J. Yesudas, K.S. Chitra
Aayiram Nilave Vaa Adimai Penn K. V. Mahadevan S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
Nandhaa En Nila Nandhaa En Nila V. Dakshinamoorthy S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Ilam Solai Poothadhal Unakkaagave Vaazhgiren Illayaraja
Konji Konji Veera
Natarajan Kudi Konda Salangaiyil Oru Sangeetham
Yennullil Yengo Rosappu Ravikkaikari Vani Jairam
Vaazhvae Maayama Gaayathri B. S. Sasirekha
Vaanaville Vaanaville Ramanaa Hariharan, Sadhana Sargam,Illayaraja
Hey Aiyasamy Varusham Padhinaaru S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K.S. Chitra
Meendum Meendum va Vikram S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Otagatho Kattiko Gentleman A. R. Rahman
Idhu Sugam Vandicholai Chinraasu S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
Padal Naan Pada Idhu Oru Thodarkathai Gangai Amaran S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Oh Swarnamuki Karuppu Vellai Deva S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K.S. Chitra
Ulagathil Ulla Thai Poranthachu P. Unnikrishnan, Sujatha Mohan
Un Samayalarayil Dhill Vidyasagar
Thavaminri kidaitha Anbu Hariharan, Sadhana Sargam
Silendra Theepori Ondru Thithikudhe Sujatha Mohan
Tha Thi Thom Azhagan M. M. Keeravaani K.S. Chitra
Un Azhagukku Aalavandhan Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Shankar Mahadevan, Sujatha Mohan
Kanaa Kaanum Kaalangal 7G Rainbow Colony Yuvan Shankar Raja Harish Raghavendra, Srimathumitha, Ustad Sultan Khan
Kanda Naal Mudhalai (Ragam Madhuvanti) Kanda Naal Mudhal Subhiksha, Pooja
Eno Uyirmele Punnagai Poove Bhavatharini
Vaada Bin Lada Mankatha Krish, Suchitra
Enakena Yerkanave Parthen Rasithen Bharathwaj P. Unnikrishnan, Harini
Idhu Kathala February 14 Haricharan
Aayiram Yaanai Vallamai Tharayo Nithyasree Mahadevan, Chinmayi
Unnai Thinam Ethirparthen Kadhaludan S. A. Rajkumar Prasanna, P. Unnikrishnan
Vaaney Vaaney Viswasam D. Imman Hariharan, Shreya Ghoshal
Kanna Thoodhu Po Da Putham Pudhu Kaalai Govind Vasantha Bombay Jayashri
Omkara Pranava Mantra Swaroopam Maaligai Mahesh Mahadev Priyadarshini

Related rāgams[edit]

This section covers the theoretical and scientific aspect of this rāgam.

Dharmavati's notes when shifted using Graha bhedam, yields 2 other Melakarta rāgams, namely, Chakravakam and Sarasangi. Graha bhedam is the step taken in keeping the relative note frequencies same, while shifting the shadjam to the next note in the rāgam. For further details and an illustration refer Graha bhedam on Dharmavati.

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. Alternate notations:
    • Hindustani: S R   P D N 
    • Western: C D E F G A B C
  2. Alternate notations:
    • Hindustani:  N D P   R S
    • Western: C B A G F E D C

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Ragas in Carnatic music by Dr. S. Bhagyalekshmy, Pub. 1990, CBH Publications
  2. 2.0 2.1 Raganidhi by P. Subba Rao, Pub. 1964, The Music Academy of Madras