Abhogi Explained

Abhogi
Mela:22nd, Kharaharapriya
Thaat:Kafi (Hindustani)
Type:Audava–Audava
Equivalent:Abhogi Kanada

Abhogi is a raga in Carnatic music and has been adapted to Hindustani music. It is a pentatonic scale, an audava raga.[1] It is a derived scale (janya raga), as it does not have all the seven swaras (musical notes). Ābhōgi has been borrowed from Carnatic music into Hindustani music and is also quite popular in the latter. In Hindustani music the raga has been classified under the Kafi thaat. [2] [3]

Theory

The Carnatic raga Abhogi is a symmetric pentatonic scale that does not contain panchamam and nishadam. It is called an audava-audava raga, as it has 5 notes in both ascending and descending scales. Its structure is as follows:

The notes used are shadjam, chathusruti rishabham, sadharana gandharam, shuddha madhyamam and chathusruthi dhaivatham. Ābhōgi is considered a janya raga of Kharaharapriya, the 22nd Melakarta raga, though it can be derived from Gourimanohari too, by dropping both panchamam and nishadam.

Graha bhedam

Graha bhedam is the step taken in keeping the relative note frequencies same, while shifting the shadjam to another note in the rāgam. Abhogi's notes, when shifted using Graha bhedam, yields another pentatonic rāgam, Valaji. For more details and illustration of this concept refer Graha bhedam on Ābhōgi.

According to P.Moutal, the raga Kalavati is a transposition of Abhogi.[4]

Scale similarities

Notable compositions

Abhogi is a raga used for compositions in a medium to fast tempo. It has been used by many composers in classical music and film music. Notable traditional compositions in Abhogi include:

In Hindustani music

Abhogi Kanada
Thaat:Kafi
Type:Audava–Audava
Time:Early night, 9–12
Vadi:S
Samavadi:M
Synonym:Abhogi
Similar:Bageshri

The Carnatic raga was incorporated relatively recently into Hindustani classical music where it is known as Abhogi Kanada or simply, Abhogi. The Kanada indicates its origin as a member of the Kanada group. Abhogi Kanada is assigned to the Kafi thaat.

The Carnatic and Hindustani Abhogis have almost identical arohanas and avarohanas. However, one major differences is that the Carnatic raga uses the Kanada vakra (out of sequence) phrase in a straight manner.

Theory

Pa and Ni are omitted. Also Re is often omitted in ascent. Flat Ga is often approached from Ma in ascent and has a slight oscillation to show the typical Kanada. In descent often the typical Kanada phrase is used.

Related ragas: Bageshree. However, Bageshree also includes flat Ni and a limited use of Pa, which gives a different flavour.

Compositions

Hindustani compositions of note in Abhogi Kanada include:

Important recordings

Film songs

In Tamil language

SongMovieYearComposerSinger
Thangaratham VanthathuKalai Kovil1964Viswanathan–RamamoorthyM. Balamuralikrishna, P. Susheela
Naan Indri Yaar Vaaruvaar (Ragamalika: Abhogi, Valaji)Maalaiyitta Mangai1958T. R. Mahalingam, A. P. Komala
Kangalin VaarthaigalKalathur Kannamma1960R. SudarsanamA. M. Rajah, P. Susheela
Vanakkam Palamurai SonnenAvan Oru Sarithiram1977M. S. ViswanathanT. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Mangayaril MaharaniAvalukendru Or Manam1971S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
Inraiku Yen IndhaVaidehi Kathirunthal1984IlaiyaraajaP. Jayachandran, Vani Jairam
Kalai NeraAmman Kovil Kizhakale1986S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Kuk Kuk Koo EnaKaalaiyum Neeye Maalaiyum Neeye1988Devendran
Indha Paadal KeetuthaanOru Vali PathaiS. A. RajkumarMinmini
Konjam NeramChandramukhi2005VidyasagarMadhu Balakrishnan, Asha Bhonsle
Vaa Sagi Vaa SagiArasiyal1997Harish Raghavendra, Uma Ramanan
ManameKurukshetram2006Isaac Thomas KottukapallyPradeep
IdhayamBilla II2012Yuvan Shankar RajaShweta Pandit
Ithuvarai IthuvaraiPotta Potti2011AruldevHariharan, Mahathi, Aruldev
Ulagam RendagaKaal KolusuSantosh, SanjeevMadhu Balakrishnan,Deepa

See also

Sources

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Chaudhuri, A. . Finding the Raga: An Improvisation on Indian Music . Faber & Faber . 2021 . 978-0-571-37076-4 . 26 May 2021 . 52.
  2. Ragas in Carnatic music by Dr. S. Bhagyalekshmy, Pub. 1990, CBH Publications
  3. Raganidhi by P. Subba Rao, Pub. 1964, The Music Academy of Madras
  4. P.Moutal, p. 462
  5. Book: Carnatic music compositions: an index . 1994 . CBH Publications . 129 . en.
  6. Web site: Sri Rama Pattabhishekam Aanapenchana Video Song NTR Sangeeta Shalimarcinema. Shalimar Telugu Hindi Movies. youtube(videostreaming). 21 July 2016.