Hemavati (raga)

Hemavati (pronounced hēmavati) is a rāgam in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is the 58th Melakarta rāgam in the 72 melakarta rāgam system of Carnatic music.

Hemavati
ArohanamS R₂ G₂ M₂ P D₂ N₂ 
Avarohanam N₂ D₂ P M₂ G₂ R₂ S
EquivalentUkrainian Dorian scale

It is called Simhāravam[1] or Deshi Simhāravam[2] in Muthuswami Dikshitar school of Carnatic music. It is beloved especially of nadaswaram vidwans. It is said to be borrowed into Hindustani music from Carnatic music, especially with instrumentalists.[2]

Structure and Lakshana

Hemavati scale with Shadjam at C

It is the 4th rāgam in the 10th chakra Disi. The mnemonic name is Disi-Bhu. The mnemonic phrase is sa ri gi mi pa dhi ni.[1] Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure (ascending and descending scale) is as follows (see swaras in Carnatic music for details on below notation and terms):

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 Kharaharapriya, which is the 22nd melakarta.

Janya rāgams

Hemavati has a few minor janya rāgams (derived scales) associated with it. See List of janya rāgams to view all rāgams associated with Hemavati.

Compositions

Here are a few common compositions sung in concerts, set to Hemavati.

Film Songs

Language:Tamil

Song Movie Composer Singer
Chidhambara Naadha Thiruneelakantar Papanasam Sivan M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Kozhi Oru Koottile Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum M. S. Viswanathan M. S. Rajeswari
Adi Ennadi Ulagam Aval Oru Thodar Kathai L. R. Eswari
Aandavanin Thottathile Arangetram V. Kumar P. Susheela
Manam Poley Maangalyam Pudhupatti Ponnuthayi Illayaraja K.S. Chitra
Kannai Thirantha Veera Arunmozhi
Mazhai Mazhai Ullam Ketkumae Harris Jayaraj P. Unnikrishnan, Harini
Ayayayoo Aananthamey Kumki D. Imman Haricharan

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

Hemavati's notes when shifted using Graha bhedam, yields 3 other major melakarta rāgams, namely, Keeravani, Vakulabharanam and Kosalam. Graha bhedam is the step taken in keeping the relative note frequencies same, while shifting the shadjam to the next note in the rāgam. For further details and an illustration refer Graha bhedam on Keeravani.

In Western music, Hemavati corresponds to Ukrainian Dorian scale.

Notes

  1. Alternate notations:
    • Hindustani: S R   P D  
    • Western: C D E F G A B C
  2. Alternate notations:
    • Hindustani:   D P   R S
    • Western: C B A G F E D C

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
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