Madhyamavati Explained

Madhyamavati
Arohanam:	S R2 M1 P N2 S
Avarohanam:	S N2 P M1 R2 S

Madhyamavati (madhyamāvati) is a raga in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is an audava rāga (or owdava rāga, meaning pentatonic scale), as it does not have all the seven musical notes (swaras). It is a janya rāga (derived scale). The equivalent of Madhyamavati in Hindustani music is Madhumad Sarang.^{[1] [2]} It also has other equivalents in Hindustani music such as ragas Megh and Megh Malhar.

It is considered a very auspicious rāgam and every Carnatic music concert ends with either a song in Madhyamavati or the ending of the last song is sung in this rāgam.^[3] It is very suitable for elaboration and exploration due to even spacing of notes. The scale uses the first three notes of the cycle of fifths S, P and R2 and fourths S, M1 and N2.

Structure and Lakshana

Madhyamavati is a symmetric rāga that does not contain gāndhāram or dhaivatam. It is a pentatonic scale (audava-audava rāgam in Carnatic music classification – audava meaning 'of 5'). Its structure (ascending and descending scale) is as follows (see swaras in Carnatic music for details on below notation and terms):

• :
• :

This scale uses the notes and . Madhyamavati is considered a janya rāga of Kharaharapriya, the 22nd Melakarta rāga, though it can be derived from other melakarta rāgas, Charukesi, Natabhairavi or Harikambhoji, by dropping both gāndhāram and dhaivatam.

Popular compositions

Madhyamavati rāgam lends itself for extensive elaboration and exploration and has many compositions. Here are some popular kritis composed in this scale.

• Bhagyada Lakshmi Baaramma by Purandara Dasaru in Kannada (originally composed in Shree ragam)^[4]
• Sundara Nanda Kumara in Sanskrit, Shankari Shri Rajarajeshwari in Sanskrit and Aadathu Asangaathu Vaa Kanna in Tamil by Oothukkadu Venkata Kavi
• Eshtu Sahasavantha, Sevakanelo naanu, By Vadiraja Tirtha
• Baro Guru Raghavendra By Shreesha Vittala Dasaru
• Edurarai Guruve By Vyasatirtha
• Marulu madikonde, Makutake Mangalam, Ellanu balle, Kande Kande Rajara, Indu Nanenu Sukrutava, Enu Pelali Thangi, Bandu Nintiha Nodi, Shiva Darushana By Purandara Dasa
  • Tolu Tolu Ranga, An evergreen song by Purandara Dasa commonly sung in Madhyamavathi Ninna Olumeinda, Vyasa Badari Nivasa By Vijaya Dasa
• Dasanagu Visheshanagu By Kanaka Dasa
• Nyayiru Kayathu, Ancient Tamil Kuṟuntokai poetry by Poet Kayamanar in Sandham- Symphony Meets Classical Tamil by Composer Rajan
  • Vinayakuni, Nagumomu Galavaani, Rama Katha Sudha, Alakalalla, Nadupai and Muchchada brahma by Tyagaraja Dharma Samvardhini, mahatripurasundari mamava jagadishvari by Muthuswami Dikshitar in Sanskrit
• Palinchu kamakshi by Shyama Sastri in Telugu
• Kosalendra mamavamita, Bhavaye Padmanabham Iha, Sarasamukha sarasijanabha by Swathi Thirunal
• Ramabhirama by Mysore Vasudevachar in Sanskrit
• Sri Ramani Jaya Tribhuvana By Guru Mahipati Dasa
• Sharavanabhava Guhane and Karpagame Kan by Papanasam Sivan in Tamil
• Akhilanda Nayaka by Thulasivanam in Sanskrit
• Sri Chamundeswarim Bhajeham Santatam by Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar in Sanskrit
• Vidachi sukhimpave and Devi parvati by Saint Gnanananda Teertha (Ogirala Veera Raghava Sarma) in Telugu
• Marali Marali Jayamangalam, Adivo Alladivo, Choodaramma Satulala, Alara Chanchala by Annamacharya in Telugu
• Santoshi Mata by Kalyani Varadarajan
• Shri Parameshwaram Chinmaya tava, Shri Rama Jaya Bhuma, Shrimat Tripurasundari Amba by Muthiah Bhagavatar
• Bhajamahe Shri Tripurasundari by Hari Sundareswara Sharma in Sanskrit
• Vinayakuni valenu by Tyagaraja
• Madhyamvathi (instrumental bansuri) by one of the mediators in Isha yoga center.
• Radha vadhana an ashtapati by jeyadeva
• Muruga enadharuyire varnam by periyasamitooran

Film songs

Kannada

• "Swami Devane Loka Palane (School Master)"
• "Kamalada Mogadole Kamalada Kannole (Hosa Itihaasa)"
• "Maduve Gandidu Nodamma (Addadaari)"
• "Pandharapuravemba Dodda Nagara (Dasara Pada)"
• "Pata Pata Gaali Pata (Aapta Mitra)"
• "Eesha Ninna Carana Bhajane Aase Inda (Bhajane)"
• "Kaashi Inda Bandanilli Vishvanaatha (Bhakti Geete)"
• "Yaava Shilpi Kanda Kanaso Neenu (Janma Janmada Anubandha)"
• "Barede Neenu Ninna Hesara (Seetha)"
• "Elli Ninna Bhaktaro Alle Mantralaya (Bhakti Geete)"
• "Kempadavo Ella Kempadavo (Ellindalo Bandavaru)"
• "Jagadisha Mallesha Sarvesha Goureesha (Baduku Bangaravayitu)"
• "Cheluvayya Cheluvo Taani Tandaana (Jaanapada)"
• "Kodagana Koli Nungitta (Tatva Pada)"
• "Kalita Hudugi Kudure Nadigi (Jaanapada)"
• "Nammoora Mandara Hoove (Aalemane)"
• "Adavi Deviya Kaadu Janagala (Rayaru Bandaru Mavana Manege)"
• "Hrudayave Ninna Hesarige (Belli Modagalu)"
• "Suvvi Suvvi Suvaalamma (Svatimuttu)"
• "Attitta Nodadiru (Bhavageete)"
• "Shivanu Bhikshakke Banda (Folk)"
• "Mutta Mutta Chinaari Mutta (Chinnaari Mutta)"
• "Bhaagyada Balegaara (Folk)"
• "Munisu Tarave Mugude (Bhaavageete)"
• "Harivaraasanam (Bhakti Geete)"
• "Esthu Saahasavanta Neene Balavanta (Bhakti Geete)"
• "Daasanaanu Visheshanaagu (Dasa Pada)"
• "Indu Shukravaara Shubhava Taruva Vaara (Bhakti Geete)"
• "Vaara Bantamma (Bhakti Geete)"
• "Bhaagyada Lakshmi Baaramma (Dasa Pada)"
• "Sadaa Kannale Olavina (Kaviratna Kaalidaasa)"
• "Beladingalaagi Baa (Mishra, Huliyahalina Mevu)"

Song	Film	Composer	Singer
Arbutha Leelaigalai	Sivagami	K. V. Mahadevan	M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Engiruntho Vanthan	Padikkadha Medhai		Sirkazhi Govindarajan
Thirumal Perumaikku(Ragamalika)	Thirumal Perumai		T. M. Soundararajan
Malarodu Vilaiyaadum	Deiva Balam	Aswathama	P. B. Sreenivas, S. Janaki
Muthukkalo Kangal	Nenjirukkum Varai	M.S.Viswanathan	T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Pachaikili Muthucharam	Ulagam Sutrum Valiban
Velale Vizhigal	Ennai Pol Oruvan
Sandhanathil Nala Vaasam	Praptham
Kana Kaanum	Agni Sakshi		S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Saritha
Aagaya Gangai	Dharma Yuddham	Ilaiyaraaja	Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki
Anandham Then Sindhum	Mann Vasanai
Nila Kayuthu(Sri Ragam traces too)	Sakalakala Vallavan
Adi Penney	Mullum Malarum		Jency Anthony
Dhagam Edukira Neram	Enakkaga Kaathiru		Uma Ramanan
En Kalyana	Azhage Unnai Aarathikkiren		Vani Jairam
Solaikuyile	Ponnu Oorukku Pudhusu		S. P. Sailaja
Eeramana Rojave	Ilamai Kaalangal		K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki (little girl's voice)
Thazham Poovae Vaasam	Kai Kodukkum Kai		S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Oh Maanae Maana	Vellai Roja
Sevvanthi pookalil	Mella Pesungal		Deepan Chakravarthy, Uma Ramanan
Kuyile Kuyile	Aan Paavam		Malaysia Vasudevan, K. S. Chithra
Poove Poove Ponamma	Paattukku Naan Adimai
Ejamaan Kaladi	Ejamaan		Malaysia Vasudevan
Azhagaana Mancha Pura	Ellame En Rasathan		Mano, S. Janaki
Nee Thane Enthan	Ninaivellam Nithya		S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Thulli Thulli	Sippikkul Muthu
Kavithai Paadu	Thendrale Ennai Thodu
Thanga Nilavukkul	Rickshaw Mama
Vanamellam Shenbagapoo	Nadodi Pattukkaran
Kottu Melangal	Makkal Aatchi		K. S. Chithra
Puthithai Ketkum	Raman Abdullah
Sembaruthi Pennoruthi			S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Ponmeni Uruguthey	Moondram Pirai		S. Janaki
Adi Aadivarum Pallaakku	I Love India
Kadhal Vennila	Lakshmi Vandhachu	Ravindran
Siraiyinil Veenai	Kaalaiyum Neeye Maalaiyum Neeye	Devendran
Pon Vaniley	Koocham	Gangai Amaran	K. J. Yesudas
Ennadi Muniyamma	Vaanga Mappillai Vaanga	Shankar–Ganesh	T. K. S. Natarajan
Tholvi Nilayenna	Oomai Vizhigal	Manoj–Gyan	P. B. Sreenivas, Aabavanan
Jalakku Jalakku	Endrendrum Kadhal		Sujatha Mohan, S. N. Surendar
Thom Karuvil Irundom	Star	A. R. Rahman	Shankar Mahadevan
Thaiyya Thaiyya	Uyire		Sukhwinder Singh, Malgudi Subha, Palakkad Sriram
Chandhiranai Thottadhu Yaar(charanam in Harikhamboji)	Ratchagan		Hariharan, Sujatha Mohan
Vaan Varuvaan (with Shuddha Dhanyasi traces)	Kaatru Veliyidai		Shashaa Tirupati
Thumbi Thullal(Abheri traces also)	Cobra		Nakul Abhyankar, Shreya Ghoshal
Anandham Anandham	Murai Maman	Vidyasagar	P. Unni Krishnan, Sujatha Mohan, Manorama
Aiyyarettu	Majaa		Shankar Mahadevan, Anuradha Sriram
Vaadi Vaadi Naattu Katta	Alli Thandha Vaanam		Shankar Mahadevan, Sujatha Mohan
Pachhai Kaatre	Abhiyum Naanum		Sadhana Sargam
Edhedho Karpanai	Vaai Kozhuppu	Chandrabose	TL Thyagarajan, Lalitha Sagari
Vizhamale Irukka Mudiyuma	Student Number 1	M. M. Keeravaani	S. P. Charan, K. S. Chithra
Naatu Naatu	RRR		Rahul Sipligunj, Yazin Nizar
Aadiyile Sedhi	En Aasai Machan	Deva	K. S. Chithra
Mamarakkuyile Maamarakuyile	En Aasai Rasave		S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Swarnalatha
Semeena Vinmeena	Anantha Poongatre		Hariharan
Uthu Uthu Paakathinga	Veeram Vilanja Mannu		P. Unnikrishnan, Swarnalatha
Garuda Garuda	Natpukkaga		Krishnaraj, Sujatha
Vaa Vaa En Thalaiva	Sandhitha Velai		Harini, P. Unnikrishnan, 'Mahanadi' Shobana
Yendi Soodamani (with Shuddha Dhanyasi traces)	Pammal K. Sambandam		Anuradha Sriram
Athipazham Sivappa	Raja Pandi		S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Paathi Nila	Kamarasu	S. A. Rajkumar
Va Va Vanam Ingu Thooramillai	Minor Mappillai	Isaivanan
Kaatrukku Kaatrukku	Thulluvadho Ilamai	Yuvan Shankar Raja	Harish Raghavendra, Harini, Febi Mani, Sunder Rajan
Chembaruthi Poo	Vinnukum Mannukum	Sirpy	Arunmozhi, K. S. Chithra
Chinna Chinna Idangalai	Chinna Madam		Mano, Sujatha Mohan
Ragasiyamanthu Kadhal	Kodambakkam		Harish Raghavendra, Harini
Aathi Vadayile	Sindhu Nathi Poo	Soundaryan	K. J. Yesudas, Asha Latha
Yetho Yetho	Thullura Vayasu	Karthik Raja	Karthik (Male vers), Sujatha Mohan (Female Vers)
Nadhiyoram	Alexander		P. Unnikrishnan, Bhavatharini
Vasantha Sena	Sri	T. S. Muralidharan	Harish Raghavendra, K. S. Chithra
Kannum Kannum	Sundhara Travels	Bharani	Krishnaraj
Kangal Neeye	Muppozhudhum Un Karpanaigal	G. V. Prakash Kumar	Sithara
Kan Irrandil	Uthamaputhiran	Vijay Antony	Naresh Iyer
Naan Adicha	Vettaikaaran		Shankar Mahadevan
Kutti Puli Kootam	Thuppakki	Harris Jayaraj	Hariharan, Tippu, Narayanan, Sathyan, Ranina Reddy
Siragi Un Sirippaala	Mehandi Circus	Sean Roldan	Sathyaprakash, Lalitha Sudha
Unnai Paartha Neram	All in All Azhagu Raja	S. Thaman	Vijay Yesudas, Srivardhini
Vaayadi Petha Pulla	Kanaa	Dhibu Ninan Thomas	Aaradhana Sivakarthikeyan, Vaikom Vijayalakshmi, Sivakarthikeyan
Saami Saami		Devi Sri Prasad	Rajalakshmi Senthiganesh
Mainaru Vetti Katti	Dasara	Santhosh Narayanan	Anirudh, Dhee

Song	Movie	Composer	Singer
Nammora Mandara Hoove	Aalemane	C. Ashwath	S. P. Balasubramanyam
Hrudayave Ninna	Belli Modagalu		S. Janaki, Mano
Kodagana Koli Nungitha	Santa Shishunala Sharifa	C. Ashwath	C. Ashwath
Sakala Karya Karanige	Malaya Marutha	K.J. Yesudas	Vijaya Narasimha

Song	Movie	Composer	Singer
Kashmiru Loyalo Kanya kumarailo O Chandamama	Pasivadi Pranam	K. Chakravarthy	S. P. Balasubramanyam
Manasu Aagadhu Vayasu Thaggadhu	Bangaru Bullodu	Raj–Koti	S. P. Balasubramanyam
Swati lo Mutyamanta muddula	Bangaru Bullodu	Raj–Koti	S. P. Balasubramanyam
Vastaadu naa raju ee roju	Alluri Seetarama Raju	P. Adinarayana Rao	P. Susheela
Nede eenaade	Bhale Thammudu	T. V. Raju	Mohd Rafi, P. Susheela
Mabbulo yemundhi	Lakshadhikari	T. Chalapathi	Ghantasala, P.Susheela
Cheetiki maatiki	Bhale Ammayilu	Saluri Rajeswara Rao
Aasa ekasa née needanu	Jagadeka Veeruni Katha
Yennallako ila vinnane koila	Maa Aavida Meeda Ottu Mee Aavida Chala Manchidi
Paddanandi premalo mari	Student No.1	MM Keeravani
Jwalath Karaala	Pandurangadu
Ee visaala prasantha	Neerajanam		M.S. Rama Rao
Raghunandana Raghu Raghunandana	Hanu Man	Gowra Hari

Non-film songs

Song	Language	Album	Composer	Lyricist	Singer	Audio Label
Nagendra Haraya	Sanskrit	Shiva Stotram	Mahesh Mahadev	Adi Shankaracharya	Mahesh Mahadev, Priyadarshini	PM Audios
Paliso Sri Hari enna ne Paliso	Kannada	Dasamruta	Mahesh Mahadev	Harapanahalli Bhimavva	Mahesh Mahadev, Priyadarshini	PM Audios

Related rāgas

This section covers the theoretical and scientific aspect of this rāgam.

Graha bhedam

Madhyamavati's notes when shifted using Graha bhedam, yields 4 other major pentatonic rāgas, namely, Mohanam, Hindolam, Shuddha Saveri and Udayaravichandrika (also known as Shuddha Dhanyasi). Graha bhedam is the step taken in keeping the relative note frequencies same, while shifting the shadjam to the next note in the rāga. For more details and illustration of this concept refer Graha bhedam on Mohanam.

Scale similarities

• Kedaragaula is a rāgam\ which has the ascending scale of Madhyamavati and descending scale of Harikambhoji. Its structure is :
• Manirangu is a rāga which has gāndhāram in the descending scale, while all other notes in both the ascending and descending scale are same as Madhyamavati. Its structure is :
• Revati is a rāga which has shuddha rishabham in place of chatushruti rishabham in the scale, while all other notes are same as Madhyamavati. Its structure is :
• Brindāvana Sāranga is also a rāga that has some similarities in scale with Madhyamavati. Its structure is :
• Andolika is an asymmetric rāga which has chatusruti dhaivata in place of panchama only in the descending scale, while all other notes are same as Madhyamavati. Its structure is :

References

1. Raganidhi by P. Subba Rao, Pub. 1964, The Music Academy of Madras
2. Book: Rao, B. Subba. Bharatiya Sangeet: Raga Nidhi: Encyclopedia of Indian Ragas, a Comparative Study of Hindustani & Karnatak Ragas. 1956. V. Patwardhan, Chairman, Vishnu Digambar Smarak Samiti.
3. Ragas in Carnatic music by Dr. S. Bhagyalekshmy, Pub. 1990, CBH Publications
4. Web site: Carnatic Songs – bhAgyada laksmI bArammA.