Kalyani (raga) explained

Kalyani
Image Alt:Kalayana Ragamala painting
Equivalent:Lydian mode

Kalyani is a melakarta raga (parent musical scale) in the Carnatic music. It was called Kalyan but is now more popularly called Yaman in Hindustani Music. Its Western equivalent is the Lydian mode.

Kalyani in Carnatic music

In South Indian weddings it is a very prominently played raga. The word Kalyani means she who causes auspicious things. It is the 65th melakarta raga under the Katapayadi sankhya. It is also called Mechakalyani. The notes for Kalyani are S R2 G3 M2 P D2 N3. Kalyani is the first Prathi Madhyama raga that was ever discovered. It was obtained by the process of Graha Bhedam or modal shift of tonic of the ancient Shadja Grama.[1]

Specifics on this raga

Kalyani has scope for elaborate alapana. One should not remain too long on panchamam (pa) or alternate between shadjamam and panchamam too frequently. Kalyani is prominently known among the public. It is often performed at the beginning of concerts because it is considered auspicious.

Structure and lakshana

It is the 5th ragam in the 11th chakra Rudra. The mnemonic name is Rudra-Ma. The mnemonic phrase is sa ri gu mi pa dhi (or 'di') nu.[2] Its structure is as follows (see swaras in Carnatic music for details on below notation and terms):

The notes used in this scale are shadjam, chatushūruti rishabam, antara gandharam, prati madhyamam, chatushruti dhaivatam, kakali nishadam. It is a Sampurna raga in Carnatic music, that is to say, has all the seven notes: Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni. It is the prati madhyamam equivalent of Sankarabharanam, which is the 29th melakarta. This raga is very significant to the chart, because it is sung with all higher notes.

Janya ragams

Kalyani has many janya ragams (derived scales)associated with it, of which Hamir Kalyani, Mohanakalyani, Amritha Kalyani, Saranga, Nada Kalyani, Sunadavinodini and Yamunakalyani are very popular. See List of Janya Ragams for full list of rāgams associated with Kalyani.

Related ragams

This section covers the theoretical aspects of Kalyani.

Kalyani's notes when shifted using Graha bhedam, yields 5 other major Melakarta ragams, namely, Hanumatodi, Sankarabharanam, Natabhairavi, Kharaharapriya and Harikambhoji. For further details and an illustration of Graha bhedam of this ragam refer Related ragams section in Sankarabharanam page.

Popular compositions

Nearly every significant Carnatic composer (including the Trinity of Carnatic music) has composed several pieces in the Kalyani ragam. Kalyani is considered one of the "major" ragams of Carnatic music along with Sankarabharanam, Todi and Kharaharapriya (the set of "major" rāgams is an informal grouping of the most popular Melakarta ragams used for elaboration and exploration, and which often form the centerpiece of a Carnatic music concert in the form of a Ragam Tanam Pallavi (RTP) or a kriti). See Related ragams section for further information on relationships between these ragams. The state anthem of Mysore, Kayou Shri Gowri is also set in this raga.Here is a short list of compositions in Kalyani.

Film songs

The most popular film composition set in Kalyani is "Mannavan Vandhanadi Thozhi" by K. V. Mahadevan rendered by P. Susheela,[3] " and Sindhanai Sei Maname by G. Ramanadhan. M. S. Viswanathan has composed numerous songs in Kalyani such as "Isai Ketal Puvi" from the movie Thavapudhalavan, "Indha Mandrathil" from Policekaran Magal, "Maalai Sudum mananaal" from Nichaya Thamboolam, "Kannan Vandhan" from Ramu, "Azhagennum Oviyam Inge", "Paar Magale Paar", "Varuvan Vadivelan", "Maduraiyil Parandha Meenkodi", "Mugathil Mugam paarkalam". "Amma Endrazhaikkaatha Uyirillaye" by Ilayaraja, "Manmadha Pournami" (P. Susheela) in Panchavankadu by G. Devarajan. The track Kalaivaniye in Sindhu Bhairavi is set in the Kalyani rāgam and sung without an avarohaṇam. The Bharathiar composition Veenai Adi Nee Enakku from the movie Ezhavathu Manithan is set in the Kalyani ragam. The Telugu movie Sankarabharanam has a Shloka "Māṇikya Upalālayanti" set in this ragam. "Aa Nimishathinte" from the Malayalam movie Chandrakantham and "Swarganandini" from Lankadahanam composed by M. S. Viswanathan is set in Kalyani.

Tamil

SongMovieComposerSinger
"Sindhanai Sei Maname"AmbikapathyG. RamanathanT. M. Soundararajan
"Ennarumai Kadhalikku Vennilaave"Ellarum Innattu MannarT. G. Lingappa
"Thenunnum Vandu Maamalarai Kandu"Amara DeepamT. Chalapathi RaoA. M. Rajah, P. Susheela
"Vennila Vaanil Varum"MannippuS. M. Subbaiah NaiduT. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
"Mannavan Vandhaanadi"ThiruvarutchelvarK. V. MahadevanP. Susheela
"Va Va Va Enakkakava"SelvamDharapurum Sundarrajan,K. Jamuna Rani
"Naan Anuppuvadhu"Pesum DheivamT. M. Soundararajan
"Kan Pona Pokile"Panam PadaithavanViswanathan–Ramamoorthy
"Naan Enna Soliviten"Bale Pandiya
"Athikkai Kai Kai"T. M. Soundararajan, P. B. Sreenivas, P. Susheela, K. Jamuna Rani
"Indha Mandrathil Odi Varum"Policekaran MagalP. B. Sreenivas, S. Janaki
"Kalaimangai Uruvam Kandu"Maganey KelSirkazhi Govindarajan, M. L. Vasanthakumari
"Mugathil Mugam Paarkalam"Thanga PadhumaiT. M. Soundararajan, P. Leela
"Vetkamaai Irukudhadi"Paar Magaley PaarP. Leela, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
"Paar Magale Paar"T. M. Soundararajan, M. S. Viswanathan
"Maalai Soodum Mananaal"Nichaya ThaamboolamP. Susheela
"Thulli Thirintha"Kathiruntha KangalP. B. Sreenivas
"Mouname Paarvayaal"KodimalarM. S. Viswanathan
"Isaikettal Puvi"ThavapudhalavanT. M. Soundararajan
"Madhurayil Parantha"Poova Thalaiya
"Kettadhum Koduppavane Krishna"Deiva Magan
"Chithirai Maadham"Raman Ethanai RamanadiP. Susheela
"Kannan Vandhan"RamuSeerkazhi Govindarajan, T. M. Soundararajan
"Azhagenum Ooviyam"Oorukku UzhaippavanK. J. Yesudas, P. Susheela
"Varuvaan Vadivelan"Varuvan VadivelanVani Jairam
"Mannulagil Indru Devan "Punitha Anthoniyar
"Kaaviri Penne Vaazhga"PoompuharR. SudarsanamP. Susheela, T. M. Soundararajan
"Iravu Mudinthuvidum"Anbu KarangalP. B. Sreenivas,P. Susheela
"Pasamalare"NeethibathiGangai AmaranT. M. Soundararajan, P.Susheela
"Tholil Vizhum Maalaye"Ullathil Nalla UllamS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
"Then Sindhuthey"Ponnukku Thanga ManasuG. K. Venkatesh
"Sundari Kannal Oru Seithi"ThalapathyIlaiyaraaja
"Yamunai Aatrile"Mitali Banerjee Bhawmik
"Vellai Pura Onru"PuthukavithaiK. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki
"Kannale Kadhal Kavithai"Athma
"Gangai Aatril Nindrukondu"Aayiram Nilave VaaP. Susheela
"Vaidhegi Raman"Pagal NilavuS. Janaki
"Janani Janani"Thaai MookaambikaiIlaiyaraaja
"Maname Avan Vazhum"Pagalil Pournami
"Alai Meethu Thadumaruthe"Anbulla MalareS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
"Nathiyil Aadum"Kaadhal OviyamS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki, Deepan Chakravarthy
"Devan Thantha Veenai"Unnai Naan SanthithenS. P. Balasubrahmanyam (Solo Ver), (P. Jayachandran, S. Janaki) (Duet Ver)
"Oru Vanavil pole"Kaatrinile Varum GeethamP. Jayachandran, S. Janaki
"Manjal Veyil"NanduUma Ramanan
"Devan Kovil Deepam Ondru"Naan Paadum PaadalS. N. Surendar, S. Janaki
"Aararo Aararo"AnandLata Mangeshkar
"Engirundho Azhaikkum"En Jeevan Paduthu
"Malaiyoram Mayile"Oruvar Vaazhum AalayamMalaysia Vasudevan, K. S. Chitra
"Siru Koottile Ulla"Paandi Nattu ThangamK. S. Chitra, Mano
"Naan Embathu Nee Allava"Soora SamhaaramArunmozhi, K. S. Chithra
"Odai Kuyil Oru"Thalattu Padava
"Amma Endruzhakatha"MannanK. J. Yesudas
"Kalaivaniye"Sindhu Bhairavi
"Oru Maalai Chandiran"Unnai Vaazhthi PaadugirenS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Minmini
"Kaatril Varum Geethame"Oru Naal Oru KanavuIlaiyaraaja, Hariharan, Shreya Ghoshal, Sadhana Sargam, Bhavatharini
"Nirpathuve Nadapathuve"BharathiHarish Raghavendra
"Yaar Veetil Roja"Idaya KovilS. P. Balasubrahmanyam
"Vanthal Mahalakshmi"Uyarndha Ullam
"Vizhigal Meeno"Raagangal Maaruvathillai
"Aazh Kadalil"Raagam Thedum PallaviT. Rajendar
"Vaigai nathiyil oru Paravai"NatchathiramShankar–GaneshS. Janaki
"Yaradhu Sollamal Nenjalli"Nenjamellam NeeyeVani Jairam
"Om Ganapathiye Ganapathiye"MarumagalChandraboseVani Jairam & Chorus
"Putham Puthu Olai"Vedham PudhithuDevendranK. S. Chithra
"Azhagu Nilave"PavithraA. R. Rahman
"Varaga Nadhikaraiyoram"SangamamShankar Mahadevan
"Enthan Vaanil"Kadhal VirusS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Swarnalatha (Humming only)
"Kadhal Niagara"En Swasa KaatrePalakkad Sreeram, Harini, Annupamaa
"Neethan En Desiya Geetham"Paarthale ParavasamP. Balram, K. S. Chitra
"Sakthi Kodu"BabaKarthik
"Methuvagathan"KochadaiiyaanS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sadhana Sargam
"Ey Maanburu Mangaiye"GuruSrinivas, Sujatha Mohan, A. R. Rahman
"Yaarumilla Thaniarangil"Kaaviya ThalaivanSwetha Mohan, Srinivas
"Kathal Ennum Keerthanam"En Aasai RasathiDr. ChandilyanS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chitra
"Aayiram Piravigal"Aathi ThalamHendri PatrickK. J. Yesudas(Male Vers),K. S. Chitra(Female Vers)
"Mudhan Mudhalil"Aahaa..!DevaHariharan, K. S. Chitra
"Yen Nenjamoh"SantharpamUma Ramanan
"Gokulathu kanna"Gokulathil SeethaiS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chitra, Deva
"Enthan Uyire Enthan Uyire"Unnaruge Naan IrundhalKrishnaraj, K. S. Chitra
"Katrin Mozhi"MozhiVidyasagarBalram, Sujatha Mohan
"Pudhu Malar Thottu"Poovellam Un VasamSriram Parthasarathy
"Naan Mozhi Arindhen"Kanden KadhalaiSuresh Wadkar
"Oru Theithi Paarthal"Coimbatore MappillaiHariharan, Sadhana Sargam
"Yen Pennendru"Love TodayShivaMohammed Aslam, Bombay Jayashri
"Kaadhal Aasai"AnjaanYuvan Shankar RajaYuvan Shankar Raja, Sooraj Santhosh
"Pogadhey Pogadhey"DeepavaliYuvan Shankar Raja
"Never let me go"Pyaar Prema KaadhalSuranjan, Shweta Pandit
"Vizhigalin Aruginil"Azhagiya TheeyeRamesh Vinayakam
"Kannanai Thedi"Marupadiyum Oru KadhalSrikanth DevaShreya Ghoshal
"Ennena Seidhom Ingu"Mayakkam EnnaG. V. Prakash KumarHarish Raghavendra
"Yen Aala Paakkaporaen"KayalD. ImmanShreya Ghoshal,K.G. Ranjith
"Chillendra Chillendra"Thirumanam Enum NikkahGhibranGhibran,Sundar Narayana Rao,Kaushiki Chakrabarty,Munna Shaoukat Ali
"Natchathiram Nagargirathu"Natchathiram NagargiradhuTenmaArivu, Sharanya Srinivas

Malayalam

SongMovieComposerLyricistSinger
"Mazhavil Kothumbil"AdhwaythamM G RadhakrishnanKaithapuramM G Sreekumar
"Mounam Swaramay"AyushkaalamOusepachanKaithapram Damodaran NamboothiriKJ Yesudas, KS Chithra
"Poonkatinodum"Poomukhappadiyil Ninneyum KaathuIlaiyaraajaBichu ThirumalaK.J. Yesudas, S. Janaki
"Polthinkal Kala"KumarasambhavamDevarajanO.N.V. KurupK.J. Yesudas

Historical information

Yaman/Aiman is not an ancient raga. It is first mentioned in the literature in the late 16th century, by which time it was very popular: The Sahasras contains 45 dhrupad song-texts for Kalyan and five for Iman-Kalyan. According to Venkatamakhin (1620), Kalyan was a favourite melody to the Arabs, and Pundarika included Yaman among his 'Persian' Ragas.[4]

Literature


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Notes and References

  1. Book: Rao, B.Subba . Raganidhi: A Comparative Study of Hindustani And Karnatak Ragas. Volume Three (K to P) . The Music Academy . 1996 . Madras . 10.
  2. Ragas in Carnatic music by Dr. S. Bhagyalekshmy, Pub. 1990, CBH Publications
  3. Web site: Thamizhisai - The land of Songs Music and performing Arts . www.thamizhisai.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100330085109/http://www.thamizhisai.com/tamil-cinema/tamil-cinema-001/tc0001_thiruvarut-selvar.php . 2010-03-30.
  4. Bor 1997