Ramapriya Explained

Ramapriya
Equivalent:Romanian major scale

Ramapriya (pronounced rāmapriya) is a rāgam in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is the 52nd melakarta rāgam (parent scale) in the 72 melakarta scale system of Carnatic music. It is called Ramāmanōhari in Muthuswami Dikshitar school of Carnatic music.[1] [2]

Structure and Lakshana

It is the 4th rāgam in the 9th chakra Brahma. The mnemonic name is Brahma-Bhu. The mnemonic phrase is sa ra gu mi pa dhi ni. Its structure (ascending and descending scale) is as follows (see swaras in Carnatic music for details on below notation and terms):

(the notes shuddha rishabham, antara gandharam, prati madhyamam, chathusruthi dhaivatham, kaisiki nishadham are used in this scale)

As it is a melakarta rāgam, by definition it is a sampoorna rāgam (has all seven notes in ascending and descending scale). It is the prati madhyamam equivalent of Chakravakam, which is the 16th melakarta scale.

Janya rāgams

Ramapriya has a few minor janya rāgams (derived scales) associated with it. See List of janya rāgams for full list of rāgams associated with Ramapriya scale.

Compositions

Here are some compositions sung in concerts, set to Ramapriya.

Film Songs

Language: Tamil

SongMovieComposerSingerLyricist
Kamalam PaathaMogamulIlaiyaraajaK. J. YesudasVaali
Thom Thom Thom Oorellam Un Paattu

Related rāgams

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

Ramapriya's notes when shifted using Graha bhedam, yields no other melakarta rāgam, as such a step taken on any of the 6 swarams (Ri to Ni) comes up with scales that do not conform to the melakarta rules. Graha bhedam is the step taken in keeping the relative note frequencies same, while shifting the shadjam to the next note in the rāgam.

Notes and References

  1. Ragas in Carnatic music by Dr. S. Bhagyalekshmy, Pub. 1990, CBH Publications
  2. Raganidhi by P. Subba Rao, Pub. 1964, The Music Academy of Madras