MKR sir. Saranga does also employ sndp - it occurs in a few places in varnam (both pallavi and anupallavi start with it, and last swaram passage uses it). However s d p is indeed common. Did you imply that?

Arun

* MD is clear with it in the beginning "varadaraja mubasmahe"

ArunK: You are right that the S N D P prayogam occurs in the Intha Modi varnam(I guess this is what you were referring to) and the S D P is more common.
The point I wanted to emphasise was that the Nishadam is pronounced in Hamir Kalyani and the Nishadam in the descent for Saranga is used sparingly-- similar to the alpa Dhaivata in Sriragam--the varnam uses it on one occasion(so does MD in his SriVaralakshmi) whereas the Thygaraja Pancharathna eschews it completely perhaps because the Raga Lakshana stipulates the use of Dhaivatha as Alpa Daivatha Prayoga for Sri ragam --the composition is none-the-less melodious for the omission!!

I am not implying that the usage or the lack of what is a discretionary note violates or upholds any tradition or it detracts from our enjoyment if it is JUDICIALLY used(again this is subjective I admit!!!).

Some of my imaginations about certain raagas and their human manifestations .

- It always occurred to me that Kalyani was a cute 2-3 yr. old girl child smiling from her first pattu pavadai.
- bEgada as a 3-4 yr. old who dances haphazardly in random swaying motions.
- sAma as a naughty yet innocent 5 yr old boy child. Specifically the lord Muruga pictures in Rani Muthu calendars
- thodi – Sherlock Holmes! Daring, intelligent, egoist, clever, cunning! (I often compare thodi with me)
- dhanyAsi – Dr. Watson! Not as clever as thodi but he thinks he can get there.
- bhairavi – vivacious young woman in her 20s. Egoist again!
- Anandabhairavi – bhairavi’s younger sister. Hasn’t grown an attitude like her elder sister…is cuter though 

what is the carnatic equivalent of hindustani raaga 'ghara'? what is the raaga of the song 'engum nirai nada brahmam by the legend MSS in film Sakuntalai .

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#17- Hindolam – The Raga with a Hypnotizing Melody

A derivative of Hanumathodi (Mela8) belonging to the 2nd Music Chakra, Hindolam is a serene,gentle,soulful,enchanting and pleasing meditative raga. It is an audava – audava janya ragam. Experts in Carnatic music hold differences of opinion on the janaka ragams (ragams of origin) that should be attributed to Hindolam. It is widely accepted that 20th melakarta, Natabhairavi is the parent ragam of Hindolam. It can be derived from both Natabhairavi and Hanumathodi, by dropping the rishabham and panchamam. The Hindustani equivalent of Hindolam is “Malkauns”. Malkauns is one very beautiful raga, derived from the Bhairavi Thaat. This raga is said to have been created from Siva’s Taandav (cosmic dance), so it has a vigour and energy about it.

Read More here

http://anuradhamahesh.wordpress.com/car ... ng-melody/

[b]#18-Sahana – The Raga that kindles Subtle Emotions portraying Unconditional Surrender[/b]

Sahana is a very popular Carnatic raga, janya of 28th Melakarta Harikambhoji(5th Chakra). The word Sahana is another name for Goddess Lakshmi/ Maa Durga. It also means ‘”Pure and Blissfully Happy”. ” In Kannada the meaning is – a person who have a great knowledge about all things present, past and future ……. Sahana is referred to as ”ranjakatva ubhaya vakra raga which means that the raga is very asthetic and pleasing.Ubhaya Vakra means that the notes in both ascent and descent follow a zig zag pattern. The vakra phrases lends a unique beauty to this raga. It is also classifed as a rakti raga – raga with high melodic content. Sahana is predominantly a “Karuna Rasa Pradhaana Raga- the raga that reflects a mood of pathos.This raga is an exemplary illustration of Daasya Bhakti Bhava-(there are nine ways of serving God..). Compassion due to overflowing love is also represented by this raga.

Read more here...

http://anuradhamahesh.wordpress.com/carnatic-raga-appreciation/18-sahana-the-raga-that-kindles-subtle-emotions-portraying-unconditional-surrender/

radmahesh, I read your raga appreciation of Sahana. Quite good and informative. But you have written that Thyagaraja predicted his passing away in this song. This is not correct. Thyagaraja had got a vision of Rama who promised him salvation in 10 days. This Thyagaraja reminds Rama (kaluvArinchaga padipUtalapai, gAchEdananu). 'You promised me salvation in 10 days.' The same sentiment is echoed in his other last song paritApamu (manOhari). I hope you'll correct this.

Thats a new information for me archa. Thank you very much for alerting the error. Shall correct it asap.

Regards

It is " kaluvarinchagani padipUTalapai " and " gaachEdanani ".

In the kriti ' paritaapamu ' , it is " karuNinchedananuchu ".

#19-Arabhi – The Raga with a Pleasing and Haunting Melody

Raga Arabhi dates back to the 7th century. Among the panns or ragas of ancient Tamil music, it corresponds to the pann, Pazhanthakka. Arabhi is an audava-sampoorna janya of Dheera Shankarabharanam,(the 29th Melakartha Ragam – the fifth Chakra in Music) and the third among the Ghana Pancharatna Ragas. A very auspicious raga, Arabhi predominantly conveys Veera rasa (valour) and at times, Roudra rasa (fury).When you listen to Arabhi, the atmosphere is charged with religious fervour – “Mangalakaramaana Isai” or “Auspicious Music”. Hence Arabhi also conveys the emotion of Devotion or Bhakthi. It is an energetic all-time raga just like its parent Raga Sankarabharanam. Tanam on Veena is particularly enjoyable in this raga.

http://anuradhamahesh.wordpress.com/car ... ng-melody/

I saw a huge collection of files - 900MB - posted on the website for Arabhi. Is it possible to list what's in each zip file so users can selectively download? Thanks for your efforts in collating all the info about the raga.

KN

Oops.. thats a difficult task as I lack time. But i can assure you that it is in a-z order. Thanks for visiting my blog.