Hamsanadam

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Hamsanadam
ArohanamS R₂ M₂ P N₃ 
Avarohanam N₃ P M₂ R₂ S

Hamsanadam (pronounced hamsanādam) is a rāgam in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is a pentatonic scale (audava rāgam, which means "of 5"), as it is sung in current days.[1] It is a derived scale (janya rāgam), as it does not have all the seven swaras (musical notes), from the 60th Melakarta rāgam Neetimati.[1]

Structure and Lakshana[edit]

Hamsanadam scale with shadjam at C

Hamsanadam, as it is sung now-a-days, is a symmetric scale that does not contain gandharam and dhaivatam. It is called an audava rāgam,[1] in Carnatic music classification (as it has 5 notes in both ascending and descending scales). Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure is as follows (see swaras in Carnatic music for details on below notation and terms):

This scale uses the notes shadjam, chatusruti rishabham, prati madhyamam, panchamam and kakali nishadam.

Other structures[edit]

Earlier structure of this scale were as follows:[1][2]

In the above, shatsruti dhaivatam is added in the scale compared to current usage (shadava scale with 6 notes in ascendinga and descending scale), with a vakra prayoga (zig-zag descending scale).[1][2]

Graha bhedham[edit]

Hamsanadam's notes when shifted using Graha bhedham, yields two pentatonic rāgams, Gambhiranata and Bhupalam. Graha bhedham 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 illustrations of this concept refer Graha bhedham on Gambhiranata.

Popular compositions[edit]

Hamsanadam has a few popular compositions:

Film Songs[edit]

Language:Tamil[edit]

Song Movie Composer Singer
Iravum Nilavum

(based on Ragam ShudhaSarang similar)

Karnan Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Konja Neram Ennai

(based on Ragam Saranga similar)

Sirithu Vazha Vendum M. S. Viswanathan T. M. Soundararajan, S. Janaki
Ilakanam Maarudho

(based on Ragam ShudhaSarang similar)

Nizhal Nijamagiradhu S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
Aruvi Magal

(based on Ragam ShudhaSarang similar)

Jeevanadi V. Dakshinamoorthy K. J. Yesudas,Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
Thendral Vandhu Ennai Thodum Thendrale Ennai Thodu Ilaiyaraaja K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki
Kanni Ponnu Ninaivellam Nithya Malaysia Vasudevan, P. Susheela
Om Namaha Idhayathai Thirudathe Mano, S. Janaki
Sorgame Endraalum Ooru Vittu Ooru Vanthu Ilaiyaraaja, S. Janaki
Isaiyil Thodangudhamma Hey Ram Ajoy Chakrabarty
Oru Devathai Vanthu

(based on Ragam ShudhaSarang similar)

Naan Sonnathey Sattam S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Asha Bhosle
Malargaley Malargaley

(Based on Shudhasarang,Saraswati)

Love Birds A. R. Rahman Hariharan, K. S. Chithra
Vayathu Vaa Vaa Thulluvadho Ilamai Yuvan Shankar Raja Srinivas, Harini
Oru Poo Ezhuthum Kavithai Pooveli Bharadwaj P. Unnikrishnan, K. S. Chithra
Manasu Marugudhe Pallikoodam Narayanan,Subhiksha – Thenmozhi
Mangalam Pongidum Vallamai Tharayo S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Poo Vaasam Anbe Sivam Vidyasagar Vijay Prakash, Sadhana Sargam
Meetu Ennai

(Pallavi Anupallavi only)

Maathangal Ezhu S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Thamirabarani Aaru Solaiyamma Deva S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Medhuva Medhuva (Varuma) En Uyir Shanthi Konnadi Edvinsan Mano, K. S. Chithra
Uyir Ennum Vaaraayo Vennilaave Karthik Raja Madhushree, Rita, Senthildass Velayutham
Thiruve Ninai Kaathal Kandene Ilakanam Bhavatharini Madhu Balakrishnan
Arumbey Kaali Vijay Antony Nivas,Janaki Iyer
Yugam Noorai Vedala Hemachandra, Sangeetha Rajeshwaran
Kalakkattu Kannaala Kaththukkutti Aruldev Ranjith, Cicily
Pudhu Unarve Nishabdham Gopi Sundar Karthik, Harini

Tamil Serial Title Song[edit]

Song Serial Name Composer Singer
Arisi Mavale Kolam Podu Malargal Vijay Antony Sangeetha Rajeshwaran, Vijay Antony

Language:Telugu[edit]

Song Movie Composer Singer
Yamuna Theeram Anand K. M. Radha Krishnan Hariharan, K. S. Chitra
Yedhalo Gaanam
Madhuramite Nishabdham Gopi Sunder Najim Arshad, Harini (singer)

Notes[edit]

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

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 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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