We can remember all 72 Melakarta Raga swarasthanams... !!!

Background:
The basic notes summarised using keyboard/piano keys:








Preparing the basic reference chart 
I'm trying to explain a condesed scheme for remembering swarasthanams of all 72 melakarta ragams.
(As you all know, the Melakarta Scheme is not my invention :-) . However, I just came up with some thing which helped me summarize and remember the already-well-organized Melakarta Scheme. I'm not sure if the same already exists.However, I'll be happy if this benefits a few.)

1)  In the scheme we're going to discuss, all you got to remember is:                                    the pattern 11, 12, 13, 22, 23, 33 (It's not eleven, twelve, read as "one one", "one two", "one three" etc. and we'll see why in steps to follow)

  
2)  Write this pattern in two vertical columns as below (Label Column headings as R G and D N): See below:
R  G
D  N
1  1
1  1
1  2
1  2
1  3
1  3
2  2
2  2
2  3
2  3
3  3
3  3


3)    Now, add two columns to the left of this with Multiples of 6, starting with 0.
Once the 1st column is done (with 30), it spills over to the next column and continues 36, 42 etc.

Label the new two columns as "M1" & "M2", as below.


4) Add another column to the right of all, with values "+1, +2, +3, +4, +5 and +6"
    Finish it with pointing arrows as shown.
Note: If you don't want to remember all these steps, you can use the chart below as a ready-reference, too.


The reference chart is now ready.
______________________________________________________________________


                         Using the Chart ...

Let's see how we find out the swarasthanams of Melakarta No. 1 (What's in a Name!!!  )

1) Let's write 1 as the sum of two numbers in columns outside the box.
One from the left most (multiples of 6) and one from the right most (+1, +2, +3 etc.).

1 = 0 + 1

The corresponding/adjacent row (R & G) values for "0" are "1 1"
The corresponding/adjacent row (D & N) values for "+1" are "1 1"
and "M1" corresponds to the column containing"0"

i.e,
1     =    0            +1
          1     1       1    1
M1    R    G      D   N

See the picture to see exactly how:
We know S and P are only one each.
Accordingly, the swarasthanams of Melakarta No.1 (which is called "Kanakangi" are): S R1 G1 M1 P D1 N1

___________________________________________________________________________________________
             
                          Some examples ...

Example-1:
Melakarta No. "29 Dheera sankarabharanam"

29 = 24   +5

"24" corresponds to row values "2 3"
"5" corresponds to row values "2 3"
Hence, the swarasthanams would be:
S R2 G3 M1 P D2 N3 S
(Note "M1" is for "24")

___________________________________________________________________________


Example-2:
Melakarta No. 65 Mechakalyani                                   S R2 G3 M2 P D2 N3 S




Example-3:
56 - Shanmukhapriya                                                  S R2 G2 M2 P D1 N2 S


___________________________________________________________________________

Example-4:
17 - Suryakantam                                                         S R1 G3 M1 P D2 N3 S


__________________________________________________________________________________________


Note: 
If you know the Raga name (not number), you can find out the Melakarta number using "Katapayadi" scheme as detailed in the links below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katapayadi_system

http://rksanka.tripod.com/music/katapaya.html
__________________________________________________________________________________________


List of all 72 Melakarta Ragas

And finally, here a list of all 72 melakarta ragas - to put a name to the number :-) 

Courtesy:   http://www.thiruppavai.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24&Itemid=38



No.
Ragam
ArOhanam
AvarOhanam
Kruthi notation & meaning
1
Kanakangi  
S R1 G1 M1 P D1 N1 S
S N1 D1 P M1 G1 R1 S
2
Ratnangi
S R1 G1 M1 P D1 N2 S
S N2 D1 P M1 G1 R1 S
3
Ganamoorti
S R1 G1 M1 P D1 N3 S
S N3 D1 P M1 G1 R1 S
4
Vanaspati
S R1 G1 M1 P D2 N2 S
S N2 D2 P M1 G1 R1 S
5
Manavati
S R1 G1 M1 P D2 N3 S
S N3 D2 P M1 G1 R1 S
6
Tanaroopi
S R1 G1 M1 P D3 N3 S
S N3 D3 P M1 G1 R1 S
7
Senavati
S R1 G2 M1 P D1 N1 S
S N1 D1 P M1 G2 R1 S
8
Hanumatodi
S R1 G2 M1 P D1 N2 S
S N2 D1 P M1 G2 R1 S
9
Dhenuka
S R1 G2 M1 P D1 N3 S
S N3 D1 P M1 G2 R1 S
10
Natakapriya
S R1 G2 M1 P D2 N2 S
S N2 D2 P M1 G2 R1 S
11
Kokilapriya
S R1 G2 M1 P D2 N3 S
S N3 D2 P M1 G2 R1 S
12
Roopavati
S R1 G2 M1 P D3 N3 S
S N3 D3 P M1 G2 R1 S
13
Gayakapriya
S R1 G3 M1 P D1 N1 S
S N1 D1 P M1 G3 R1 S
14
Vakulabharanam
S R1 G3 M1 P D1 N2 S
S N2 D1 P M1 G3 R1 S
15
Mayamalavagowla 
S R1 G3 M1 P D1 N3 S
S N3 D1 P M1 G3 R1 S
16
Chakravakam 
S R1 G3 M1 P D2 N2 S
S N2 D2 P M1 G3 R1 S
17
Suryakantam 
S R1 G3 M1 P D2 N3 S
S N2 D2 P M1 G3 R1 S
18
Hatakambari 
S R1 G3 M1 P D3 N3 S
S N3 D3 P M1 G3 R1 S
19
Jhankaradhwani 
S  R2 G2 M1 P D1 N1 S
S N1 D1 P M1 G2 R2 S
20
Natabhairavi 
S  R2 G2 M1 P D1 N2 S
S N2 D1 P M1 G2 R2 S
21
Keeravani 
S  R2 G2 M1 P D1 N3 S
S N3 D1 P M1 G2 R2 S
22
Kharaharapriya 
S R2 G2 M1 P D2 N2 S
S N2 D2 P M1 G2 R2 S
23
Gowrimanohari 
S R2 G2 M1 P D2 N3 S
S N3 D2 P M1 G2 R2 S
24
Varunapriya 
S R2 G2 M1 P D3 N3 S
S N3 D3 P M1 G2 R2 S
25
Mararanjani 
S R2 G3 M1 P D1 N1 S
S N1 D1 P M1 G3 R2 S 
26
Charukesi 
S R2 G3 M1 P D1 N2 S 
S N2 D1 P M1 G3 R2 S 
27
Sarasangi 
S R2 G3 M1 P D1 N3 S 
S N3 D1 P M1 G3 R2 S 
28
Harikambhoji 
S R2 G3 M1 P D2 N2 S 
S N2 D2 P M1 G3 R2 S 
29
Dheera sankarabharanam 
S R2 G3 M1 P D2 N3 S 
S N3 D2 P M1 G3 R2 S 
30
Naganandini 
S R2 G3 M1 P D3 N3 S 
S N3 D3 P M1 G3 R2 S 
31
Yagapriya
S R3 G3 M1 P D1 N1 S 
S N1 D1 P M1 G3 R3 S 
32
Ragavardhini 
S R3 G3 M1 P D1 N2 S 
S N2 D1 P M1 G3 R3 S 
33
Gangeyabhooshani 
S R3 G3 M1 P D1 N3 S 
S N3 D1 P M1 G3 R3 S 
34
Vagadheeswari 
S R3 G3 M1 P D2 N2 S 
S N2 D2 P M1 G3 R3 S 
35
Soolini 
S R3 G3 M1 P D2 N3 S 
S N3 D2 P M1 G3 R3 S 
36
Chalanatai
S R3 G3 M1 P D3 N3 S 
S N3 D3 P M1 G3 R3 S 
37
Salagam 
S R1 G1 M2 P D1 N1 S 
S N1 D1 P M2 G1 R1 S 
38
Jalarnavam 
S R1 G1 M2 P D1 N2 S 
S N2 D1 P M2 G1 R1 S 
39
Jhalavarali 
S R1 G1 M2 P D1 N3 S 
S N3 D1 P M2 G1 R1 S 
40
Navaneetam 
S R1 G1 M2 P D2 N2 S 
S N2 D2 P M2 G1 R1 S 
41
Pavani 
S R1 G1 M2 P D2 N3 S 
S N3 D2 P M2 G1 R1 S 
42
Raghupriya 
S R1 G2 M2 P D3 N3 S 
S N3 D3 P M2 G2 R1 S 
43
Gavambodhi 
S R1 G2 M2 P D1 N1 S 
S N1 D1 P M2 G2 R1 S 
44
Bhavapriya 
S R1 G2 M2 P D1 N2 S 
S N2 D1 P M2 G2 R1 S 
45
Subhapantuvarali 
S R1 G2 M2 P D1 N3 S 
S N3 D1 P M2 G2 R1 S 
46
Shadvidhamargini 
S R1 G2 M2 P D2 N2 S 
S N2 D2 P M2 G2 R1 S 
47
Suvarnangi 
S R1 G2 M2 P D2 N3 S 
S N3 D2 P M2 G2 R1 S 
48
Divyamani 
S R1 G2 M2 P D3 N3 S 
S N3 D3 P M2 G2 R1 S 
49
Dhavalambari 
S R1 G3 M2 P D1 N1 S 
S N1 D1 P M2 G3 R1 S 
50
Namanarayani 
S R1 G3 M2 P D1 N2 S 
S N2 D1 P M2 G3 R1 S 
51
Kamavardhini 
S R1 G3 M2 P D1 N3 S 
S N3 D1 P M2 G3 R1 S 
52
Ramapriya 
S R1 G3 M2 P D2 N2 S 
S N2 D2 P M2 G3 R1 S 
53
Gamanasrama 
S R1 G3 M2 P D2 N3 S 
S N3 D2 P M2 G3 R1 S 
54
Viswambari 
S R1 G3 M2 P D3 N3 S 
S N3 D3 P M2 G3 R1 S 
55
Syamalangi 
S R2 G2 M2 P D1 N1 S 
S N1 D1 P M2 G2 R2 S 
56
Shanmukhapriya 
S R2 G2 M2 P D1 N2 S 
S N2 D1 P M2 G2 R2 S 
57
Simhendramadhyamam 
S R2 G2 M2 P D1 N3 S 
S N3 D1 P M2 G2 R2 S 
58
Hemavati 
S R2 G2 M2 P D2 N2 S 
S N2 D2 P M2 G2 R2 S 
59
Dharmavati
S R2 G2 M2 P D2 N3 S
S N3 D2 P M2 G2 R2 S
60
Neetimati
S R2 G2 M2 P D3 N3 S
S N3 D3 P M2 G2 R2 S
61
Kantamani
S R2 G3 M2 P D1 N1 S
S N1 D1 P M2 G3 R2 S
62
Rishabhapriya
S R2 G3 M2 P D1 N2 S
S N2 D1 P M2 G3 R2 S
63
Latangi
S R2 G3 M2 P D1 N3 S
S N3 D1 P M2 G3 R2 S
64
Vachaspati
S R2 G3 M2 P D2 N2 S
S N2 D2 P M2 G3 R2 S
65
Mechakalyani
S R2 G3 M2 P D2 N3 S
S N3 D2 P M2 G3 R2 S
66
Chitrambari
S R2 G3 M2 P D3 N3 S
S N3 D3 P M2 G3 R2 S
67
Sucharitra
S R3 G3 M2 P D1 N1 S
S N1 D1 P M2 G3 R3 S
68
Jyotiswaroopini
S R3 G3 M2 P D1 N2 S
S N2 D1 P M2 G3 R3 S
69
Dhatuvardhini
S R3 G3 M2 P D1 N3 S
S N3 D1 P M2 G3 R3 S
70
Nasikabhooshani
S R3 G3 M2 P D2 N2 S
S N2 D2 P M2 G3 R3 S
71
Kosalam
S R3 G3 M2 P D2 N3 S
S N3 D2 P M2 G3 R3 S
72
Rasikapriya
S R3 G3 M2 P D3 N3 S
S N3 D3 P M2 G3 R3 S

Comments

  1. There is a simpler method (especially for people like me who feel giddy looking at numbers) suggested by the author of the Melakarta Scheme himself (Venkatamakhi). It is given below:

    Of the three variations of a swara, let us say Ri, the first is called Ra, the second Ri, the third Ru. (Suddha rishabham, Chatushruti rishabham and Shadshruti rishabham, respectively.)

    Now we know the Purvanga Swaras, Ri & Ga change in every chakra and the Uttaranga Swaras Dha & Ni change in every raga in each chakra.

    Therefore, the six variations for the 6 chakras (Pratimadhyama portion has the same variation, so we have to remember only 6 variations) will be Ra Ga, Ra Gi, Ra Gu, Ri Gi, Ri Gu & Ru Gu.

    Likewise for every raga in each chakra the variations of Uttaranga Swaras are Dha Na, Dha Ni, Dha Nu, Dhi Ni, Dhi Nu & Dhu Nu.

    Since we know the number of the raga in the Melakarta table, we can easily find out in which chakra, in which position it occurs.
    From the above-given 6 variations we can find out the Swarasthaana.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. P G Kutty Nair, Thanks for the detailed information. Very helpful... Yes, it will be simpler for people who are willing to handle a lil' simple mental arithmetic . :-) !!! My chart probably is a ready-to-consume form of the same method (by Venkatamakhi) you explained.

      Delete
  2. I am wondering about those folks of an era where computing devices were not present, who put efforts in organizing the combinations of Raga, with meaningful names, and sensical order!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dinesh,
      As we'll agree, these great people were in a much higher intellectual & spiritual level which explains how !!!

      Delete
  3. Awesome. Although various methods are already available, kudos to you for coming up with this method. Works for me!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Madhavi,
      Thanks for your comment!!
      Sorry for my delayed response - I was not keeping up to date on my blog...

      Delete
  4. This is great. Is it ok to use these images in my presentation for kids to understand. Not for any profit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi,
      Thanks for your comments.
      Please feel free to use if it helps.. 😊

      Delete
  5. Awesome buddy..I used this method to teach my students..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks a lot...
      It's a great pleasure and privilege to know this was used to teach students.. :)

      Delete

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