Kharaharapriya Explained
Kharaharapriya is a rāga in Carnatic music. It is the 22nd melakarta rāga (parent scale) in the 72 melakarta rāga system. It is possible that the name of the ragam was originally Harapriya but it was changed to conform to the Katapayadi formula. Kharaharapriya has a distinct melody and brings out the Karuna rasam, invoking pathos in the listeners. The Kafi thaat of Hindustani music is the equivalent of Kharaharapriya.[1] [2] Its Western equivalent is the Dorian mode. The Prati Madhyamam equivalent of this raga is Hemavati
Etymology
There are many theories behind the etymology of the name Kharaharapriya. One of the most popular beliefs is that the ragam was initially called Samaganam and when Ravana was trapped by Shiva, under the kailash hill trying to lift it, it is believed that, to appease the lord, Ravana sang many hymns in praise of the lord, but his heart cooled only when a hymn was sung in the ragam and hence the name (hara) shiva and (priya) loved hence "Harapriya " – The one dear to Shiva, and to fit it in the Katapayadi system according to the melakarta chakra system.
The word Kharaharapriya may also mean the beloved of the killer of the Khara demon (Khara – Khara demon, Hara – Defeater/Killer, Priya – Beloved). The story of Rama killing the Khara demon is narrated in the 28th, 29th and the 30th sub-chapter of the Aranya Khanda of Ramayana.[3] It could be speculated that this was a reason why Saint Tyagaraja revived this dying ancient raga in the 18th century and breathed new life into it by creating many compositions in this raga.
Structure and Lakshana
It is 4th rāga in the 4th chakra Veda. The mnemonic name is Veda-Bhu. The mnemonic phrase is sa ri gi ma pa dhi ni. Its structure is as follows (see swaras in Carnatic music for details on below notation and terms):
The notes are chatushruti rishabham, sadharana gandharam, shuddha madhyamam, chatushruti dhaivatam and kaisiki Nishadam. It is a sampoorna rāgam – scale having all 7 swarams. It is the shuddha madhyamam equivalent of Hemavati, which is the 58th melakarta scale. Since the swaras of Kharaharapriya are quite evenly spaced, and since several different types of gamakas are allowed, it is a very versatile, fluid and flexible rāgam that allows for elaborate melodic improvisation within its scale.
Songs sung in Kharaharapriya ragas typically have long, elaborate ālapanās, which exhibit the fluidity of the rāgam. Kharaharapriya songs are usually meant to be sung slow, medium or medium-fast, in order to bring out the Karuna rasa and bhava of the song.
Janya rāgams
Due to the even spacing of swaras, many [janya] rāgams (derived scales) are associated with Kharaharapriya. It is one of the melakarta scales that has a large number of janya rāgams. Many of the janya rāgams are very popular on their own, lending themselves to elaboration and interpretation. Some of them are Abheri, Abhogi,Andolika, Bhimplaas (Hindustani music), Brindavana Saranga, Kāpi, Madhyamavati, Megh (Hindustani music), Mukhari, Reetigowla, Shree, Dhanashree, Udayaravichandrika, and Sriranjani.
See List of janya rāgams for full list of scales associated with Kharaharapriya.
Compositions
Kharaharapriya has been decorated with compositions by many composers. The ragam is most closely associated with Thyagaraja who has pioneered in composing many songs in this rāgam, that have become popular and well known. Both Muthuswami Dikshitar and Shyama Sastri, however, have not composed kritis in 'Kharaharapriya'[4] A few of the popular compositions are listed here.
- Chakkani Rājamārgamu, Pakkala Nilabaḍi, Mitri Bhāgyame, Rāmā nī samānamevaru, Naḍaci Naḍaci,Peridi ninnu, Chetulāra shrungāramu, Kori sevimpa rāre, Pāhi rāma rāma anuchu, Vidamu sevayave, and Rāma nīyada by saint Tyagaraja in Telugu language
- Satatam thaavaka pada sevanam, by Swathi Thirunal
- Chandamamanu by Kaiwara Narayana Thata
- Sundara Natarajam by Oothukadu Venkata Kavi in Sanskrit
- Moovasai konda thirumal by Muthiah Bhagavatar in Tamil
- Senthil andavan, Srinivasa Tava Charanam, Janaki pathe, Appan Avatharitha Kathamritham and Ganapathiye Karunanidhiye by Papanasam Sivan in Tamil
- Karunajalarase rama, by K. C. Kesava Pillai in Malayalam
- Hariyennu Hariyennu By Purandara Dasaru
- Bharathi deviya nene by Purandara Dasa in Kannada and Okkaparikokkapari and Nityapujalivigo by Annamacharya in Telugu have now been tuned in Kharaharapiya since the original tunes have been lost forever.
- Nama Rasa Manave by Kalyani Varadarajan
- Varnam - Vevela Velpulalo (Janaka Raga Varna Manjari) by Nallan Chakravarthy Murthy
The basic scale of Kharaharapriya has been used in several film songs in Indian film music. Although rarely authentic, there are several film songs that are set in this scale, or scales derived from this ragam. The popular Kannada song 'Arādhisuve madanāri', from the movie Babhruvahana (1977) and sung by Dr. Rajkumar, is in typical Kharaharapriya. A popular Tamil film composer M.S.Viswanathan used this raga brilliantly in many of his songs such as "Maharajan Ullagai" from Karnan, "Maadhavi Ponmayilal" in the movie Iru malargal. Ace singer P. Unnikrishnan released his 2012 album on Lord Ayyappan titled Shabaimalai Va Charanam Solli Va in which he has rendered a song in Kharaharapriya raagam set in classical melody. The song also illustrates how the Lord learnt the Kalari fight in Cheerappanchira which houses a temple called Mukkal Vattam managed by Lord's Guruvamsam even now.[5]
Film songs
| Song | Movie/Album | Composer | Singer |
|---|
| Enna Seidhaalum | Irumbu Thirai | S. V. Venkatraman | Radha Jayalakshmi |
| Ariyaa Paruvamadaa | Missiamma | S. Rajeshwara Rao | P. Susheela |
| Inbam Perinbam | Rani Lalithangi | G. Ramanathan | P. Bhanumathi |
| Maayavalaiyil | Gulebakavali | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | T. M. Soundararajan |
| Annan Kaatiya Vazhiyamma | Padithal Mattum Podhuma |
| Maharajan | Karnan | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela |
| Aagaya Pandhalile | Ponnunjal | M. S. Viswanathan |
| Madhavi Pon Mayilaal | Iru Malargal | T. M. Soundararajan |
| Ponmagal Vandhaal | Sorgam |
| Attamenna Solladi (I will sing for you) | Manidharil Manikkam |
| Malligai En Mannan | Dheerga Sumangali | Vani Jayaram |
| Sippi Irukkuthu | Varumayin Niram Sivappu | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki |
| Aayiram Nilave Vaa | Adimai Penn | K. V. Mahadevan | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela |
| Isaiyai Thamizhai | Agathiyar | Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan | Sirkazhi Govindarajan, T. R. Mahalingam |
| Poo Malarinthida | Tik Tik Tik | Ilaiyaraaja | K. J. Yesudas, Jency Anthony |
| Thaana Vantha Santhaname | Ooru Vittu Ooru Vanthu | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki |
| Vaazhavaikum Kaathalukku Jey | Apoorva Sagodharargal |
| Pallikoodam Pogalama | Koyil Kaalai |
| Mappillaikku | Netrikkan | Malaysia Vasudevan, P. Susheela |
| Dheiveega Raagam | Ullasa Paravaigal | Jensy,Vani Jairam |
| Kannukkulle Yaaro | Kai Kodukkum Kai | S. P. Sailaja, P. Susheela |
| Maalai Karukkalil | Neethiyin Marupakkam | K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki |
| Roja Poo Adivanthathu | Agni Natchathiram | S. Janaki |
| Karutha Machan | Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu |
| Iravu Nilavu | Anjali |
| Kaala kaalamaaga Vaazhum | Punnagai Mannan | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K.S. Chitra |
| Deviye Naan Saranam | Thanga Thamaraigal |
| Aethamayya Aetham | Ninaive Oru Sangeetham | Malaysia Vasudevan, K.S. Chitra |
| Ilam Vayasu Ponna | Paandi Nattu Thangam |
| Nethu Oruthara Oruthara | Puthu Paatu | Ilaiyaraaja, K.S. Chitra |
| Poongatru Thirumbuma | Muthal Mariyathai | Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki |
| Anandham Pongida Pongida | Sirai Paravai | K. J. Yesudas,Sunanda |
| Thooliyile Ada Vantha | Chinna Thambi | Mano, K.S. Chitra |
| Unnai Vaazhtha Vanthen | Unnai Vaazhthi Paadugiren | K. J. Yesudas |
| Elangaathu Veesudhey | Pithamagan | Sriram Parthasarathy, Shreya Ghoshal |
| Kai Veesi | Nandalala | Vijay Yesudas, Swetha Mohan, Madhu Balakrishnan,Raagul,Chandrasekar |
| Ilavenirkala Panjami | Manam Virumbuthe Unnai | Hariharan |
| Thavikkiren Thavikkiren | Time | Hariharan,Bhavatharini |
| Aanenna Pennena | Dharma Durai | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam |
| Neela Vana Odayil | Vazhvey Maayam | Gangai Amaran |
| Indralogathu Sundari | Uyirullavarai Usha | T. Rajendar |
| Janaki Devi | Samsaram Adhu Minsaram | Shankar–Ganesh | K.S. Chitra |
| Rendu Kannam Santhana Kinnam | Sivappu Malli | K. J. Yesudas, P. Susheela |
| Panivilum Paruvanila | Paneer Nadhigal | K. J. Yesudas |
| Panju Mittai Selakatti | Ettupatti Rasa | Deva | Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki |
| Un Uthattora | Panchalankurichi | Hariharan, Anuradha Sriram |
| Karuvella Kaatukkulae | Porkkaalam | Sujatha Mohan, Anuradha Sriram, Arunmozhi |
| Atho Vanile Nila Oorvalam | Thandanai | Chandrabose | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki |
| Kakki Sattai Potta Machan | Sankar Guru | Malaysia Vasudevan, S. P. Sailaja |
| Pachchai Nirame (Sakiye) | Alaipayuthey | A. R. Rahman | Hariharan, Clinton Cerejo |
| Mel Isaiyae | Mr. Romeo | Swarnalatha, Unni Menon, Srinivas, Sujatha |
| Urvasi Urvasi | Kadhalan | A. R. Rahman, Suresh Peters, Shahul Hameed |
| Kilimanjaro | Enthiran | Javed Ali, Chinmayi |
| Malarodu Malaringu | Bombay | Sujatha Mohan, Anuradha Sriram & Chorus |
| Marudaani | Sakkarakatti | Madhushree, AR Rahman,Henry Kuruvilla |
| Taxi Taxi | |
| Mayiliragae Mayiliragae | Anbe Aaruyire | Naresh Iyer, Madhushree |
| Gulmohar Malare | Majunu | Harris Jayaraj | Hariharan |
| Mudhal Mazhai | Bheemaa | Hariharan, Mahathi, R. Prasanna |
| Hasili Fisiliye | Aadhavan | Karthik, Harini, Dr Burn & Maya |
| Suttum Vizhi | Ghajini | Sriram Parthasarathy, Bombay Jayashree |
| Oru Maalai | Karthik |
| Yaaridamum | Thotti Jaya | Ramesh Vinayagam, Harini |
| Uyirile | Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu | Mahalakshmi Iyer, Srinivas |
| Silu Silu Siluvena | Kovil | Tippu |
| Meela Mudiyamal(Album song) | Isai Ennum Puthumozhi | M.R.Raheis | Benny Dayal, Srimathumitha,Rathika |
| Sangeetha Swarangal | Azhagan | Maragathamani | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam,Sandhya |
| Kamban Engu | Jaathi Malli | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K.S. Chitra |
| Rosappu Chinna Rosappu | Suryavamsam | S. A. Rajkumar | Hariharan(vers 1), Sujatha Mohan(vers 2) |
| Edho Oru Paattu | Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen |
| Kanava Ninaiva | Aasal | Bharadwaj | V. V. Prasanna, Manjari |
| Santhikkadha Kangalil Inbangal | 180 | Sharreth | Unni Menon, K.S. Chitra, S. Sowmya |
| En Raasi | Enakkoru Magan Pirappan | Karthik Raja | Sujatha Mohan, P. Unni Krishnan |
| Ennamma Devi Jakkamma | Thambi | Vidyasagar | Karthik,Manikka Vinayagam,Balesh |
| Inni Naanum Naanilai | Yai! Nee Romba Azhaga Irukke! | Srinivas | Srinivas, Sujatha Mohan, Sunitha Sarathy |
| Yamini Yamini | Arvind-Shankar | Harish Raghavendra |
| Aathadi Manasudhan | Kazhugu | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Priya Himesh, Karthik Raja |
| Ayyayyo | Paruthiveeran | Shreya Ghoshal,Krishnaraj, Manikka Vinayagam, Yuvan Shankar Raja(Humming) |
| Dheivangal Ellam | Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga | Vijay Yesudas |
| Kadhal Vaithu | Deepavali |
| Dhavanipotta Deepavali | Sandakozhi | Vijay Yesudas, Shreya Ghoshal |
| Thaaliyae Thevaiyillai | Thaamirabharani | Hariharan, Bhavatharini |
| Endhan Uyir Thozhiyae | Winner | Udit Narayan |
| Aedho Saigirai | Vaamanan | Javed Ali, Sowmya Raoh |
| Ayyayo Nenju | Aadukalam | G. V. Prakash Kumar | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam,S. P. B. Charan,Prashanthini |
| Un Mela Oru Kannu | Rajinimurugan | D. Imman | Jithin Raj, Mahalakshmi Iyer |
| Muzhumadhi Muzhumadhi | Kanimozhi | Satish Chakravarthy | Vijay Yesudas, Bela Shende |
| Ithanai Dhooram | Koottam | James Vasanthan | Haricharan, Shweta Mohan |
| Vinmeen Vithaiyil | Thegidi | Nivas K. Prasanna | Abhay Jodhpurkar, Saindhavi |
| Kalla Payalae Payalae | Mosakutty | Ramesh Vinayakam | Shreya Ghoshal, Haricharan |
| Yaarukkum Sollama | All in All Azhagu Raja | Thaman S | Rahul Nambiar |
| Ara Kirukan | Vengayam | Bharani | Sujith, Srimathumitha |
| Bodhai Kaname | Oh Manapenne! | Vishal Chandrashekhar | Shashaa Tirupati, Anirudh Ravichander | |
The Hindi song 'Tumhen Dekhti Hoon To' from movie Tumhare Liye composed by Jaidev sung by Lata Mangeshkar was based on Ragam Karnaranjani too.
Related rāgams
This section covers the theoretical and scientific aspect of this rāgam.
Kharaharapriya's notes when shifted using Graha bhedam, yields 5 other major melakarta rāgams, namely, Kalyani, Hanumatodi, Natabhairavi, Shankarabharanam and Harikambhoji. For further details and an illustration of Graha bhedam of this rāgam refer Graha bhedam on Shankarabharanam.
Notes and References
- Ragas in Carnatic music by Dr. S. Bhagyalekshmy, Pub. 1990, CBH Publications
- Raganidhi by P. Subba Rao, Pub. 1964, The Music Academy of Madras
- Web site: Valmiki Ramayana – Aranya Kanda : Contents.
- http://www.carnatica.net/nvr/kharahara.htm Article from Carnatica.net
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3zVJZrUHRg Song set in Kharaharapriya on Mukkal vattam Ayyappan
