Gambhiranata

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Gambhiranata
ArohanamS G₃ M₁ P N₃ 
Avarohanam N₃ P M₁ G₃ S

Gambhiranata is a rāga in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music) and Yakshagana where it is called Naati. It is an audava rāgam (or owdava rāga, meaning pentatonic scale). It is a janya rāga (derived scale), as it does not have all the seven swaras (musical notes). Gambhiranata is also known as Shuddha Nata.[1]

Structure and Lakshana[edit]

Gambhiranata scale with shadjam at C

Gambhiranata is a symmetric rāga that does not contain rishabham or dhaivatam. It is a pentatonic scale (audava-audava ragam[1][2] in Carnatic music classification – audava meaning 'of 5'). Its ascending and descending scale structure (ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa) is as follows:

The notes used in this scale are shadjam, antara gandharam, shuddha madhyamam, panchamam and kakali nishadam (see swaras in Carnatic music for details on below notation and terms). Gambhiranata is considered a janya rāgam of Chalanata, the 36th Melakarta rāgam, though it can be derived from 8 other melakarta rāgams, by dropping both rishabham and dhaivatam.

Popular Compositions[edit]

Gambhiranata rāgam lends itself for elaboration due to the pentatonic nature and symmetricity of the scale. The mallari tune played in Nadhaswaram at temple processions are set to this musical scale.[2] Here are some compositions set to this scale.

Film Songs[edit]

Language: Tamil[edit]

Song Movie Composer Singer
Ventriduven Unnai(Ragamalika opening portion only) Agathiyar Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan T. M. Soundararajan, Sirkazhi Govindarajan
Maanikkka Theril Maragatha Thedi Vandha Mappillai M. S. Viswanathan T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Mahaganapathim Sindhu Bhairavi Illayaraja K.J. Yesudas
Mettioli Katrodu Metti Illayaraja, S. Janaki(Humming only)
Kavithai Kelungal(Ragamalika) Punnagai Mannan Vani Jairam
Aala Asathum Kanni Rasi S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
Isai Paadu Nee Isai Paadum Thendral S. Janaki
Oh Oh Oh Kaalai Kuyilgale Unnai Vaazhthi Paadugiren
Holi Holi Raasukutti S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Innum Ennai (Gambeeranattai with Tilang) Singaravelan
Podu Thanthanathom Nalla Naal
Panivizhum Malar Vanam (in Chalanattai) Ninaivellam Nithya S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Nan Deva devi Thangakkili Mano, Swarnalatha
Oru Pattampochi Kadhalukku Mariyadhai K.J. Yesudas, Sujatha
Naan Ondru Kettal Ilayaragam Arunmozhi, K.S. Chitra
Peigaley Nambathey Mahanadi Kamal Haasan, Shanmugasundari
Sandhosha Kannire Uyire A. R. Rahman A. R. Rahman
Spiderman New Kunal Ganjawala, Sadhana Sargam
Narumugaiye Narumugaiye Iruvar P. Unnikrishnan, Bombay Jayashree
Vennila Vennila Asha Bhosle
Thom Thom Alli Thandha Vaanam Vidyasagar Hariharan, K.S. Chitra
Thangamagan Indru Baashha Deva K.J. Yesudas, K.S. Chitra
Devi Devi Santharpam S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Uma Ramanan
Irupathu Kodi Nilavugal Thulladha Manamum Thullum S. A. Rajkumar Hariharan
Mudhalam Santhippil Charlie Chaplin Bharani P. Unnikrishnan, Swarnalatha
Solaigal Ellam Pookalai Pareekatheergal T. Rajendar S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K.S. Chitra
Uyire Uyire Vaanam Vasappadum Mahesh Mahadevan Hariharan, Ganga
Iyengaru Veetu Azhagey Anniyan Harris Jayaraj Hariharan, Harini
Chennai Senthamizh (inspired from Mahaganapathim) M. Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi Srikanth Deva Harish Raghavendra
Jingunamani Jilla D. Imman Ranjith, Sunidhi Chauhan
Ammukuttiye Gemini Ganeshanum Suruli Raajanum Pradeep Kumar

Related rāgams[edit]

Graha bhedam[edit]

Gambhiranata's notes when shifted using Graha bhedam, yields another pentatonic rāgam, Bhupalam. 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 more details and illustration of this concept refer Graha bhedam on Gambhiranata.

  • Amritavarshini is a rāgam which has prati madhyamam in place of the shuddha madhyamam. See below table for more details.
  • Hamsadhvani is a rāgam which has chathusruthi rishabham in place of the shuddha madhyamam. See below table for more details.
Rāgam Śruti
Tonic
C D E F G A B C
Gambhiranata C S G3 M1 P N3 S'
Amritavarshini C S G3 M2 P N3 S'
Hamsadhvani C S R2 G3 P N3 S'

Grahabedam

Rāgam C D E F G A B C
Gambhiranata S G3 M1 P N3 S'
Bhupalam D1, S R1 G2 P D1
Hamsanadam P, N3 S R2 M2 P
M1, D2 N2 S G3 M1

Scale similarities[edit]

  • Nata is a rāgam which has scale of Chalanata, the 36th Melakarta rāgam, in the ascending scale, while retaining the descending scale similar to Gambhiranata. Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure is S R3 G3 M1 P D3 N3 S : S N3 P M1 G3 S

Notes[edit]

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

References[edit]

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


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