Mohanam & Shudha Saveri Ragams

We have discussed about quite a few Ragams before in our class. But, in this context we will discuss the relationship and difference between Shuddha Saveri and Mohanam.

Both are Audava ragams or Pentatonic in nature – meaning, this raga has 5 notes. In Carnatic music, Ragas are classified as Melakarta Ragas and Janya (Subset or Derived) Ragas. As you are all aware, there are 72 Melakartas Ragas which are all Sampoorna (all 7 notes) ragams. Shuddha Saveri and Mohanam are both Janya Ragams and they are both derived from their respective Melakartas. (Use the link to find the 28th & 29th Melakarta before reading forward).

A sample of the Janya Ragams for the 28th and 29th Melakarta is below. Click here to learn some more Janya Ragams

mohanam-shudha-saveri-microsoft-word

Now, lets talk about the Arohanam and Avarohanam for Harikhamboji and Shankarabharanam (also called DhiraShankarabharanam) Ragam.

Harikhamboji – 28th Melakarta Arohanam –

S R2 G3 M1 P D2 N2 S

Avarohanam –

S N2 D2 P M1 G3 R2 S

Dhirashankarabharanam – 29th Melakarta Arohanam –

S R2 G3 M1 P D2 N3 S

Avarohanam –

S N3 D2 P M1 G3 R2 S

Now, Lets review the Janya Ragams Mohanam and Shuddha Saveri.

Shuddha Saveri Mohanam
1. Arohanam     –  S R2 M1 P D2 S

Avarohanam –  S D2 P M1 R2 S

Arohanam        – S R2 G2 P D2 S

Avarohanam    – S D2 P G2 R2 S

2. Note that this ragam has Ma. Ga and Ni is missing. Note that this ragam has Ga. Ma and Ni is  missing here.

There are songs where Mohanam and Shuddha Saveri are mixed and sung and this is called Grihabhedam.  If you observe above, the M and the G are missing from the respective Ragas. Grihabhedam technique simply matches the Tonic Pa of Mohanam to meet with the Tonic Sa of the Shuddha Saveri Ragam.

As a project, students may choose another Melakarta such as the 15th Mayamalavagowla or the 65th Kalyani and examine its substituent Janya Ragas.

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