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Nāṭa

Janya of Chalanāṭa (36) — sampūrṇa ascent, audava descent (Ghana-rāga)

Heroic, vigorous, majestic

✓ Verified against Sambamoorthy, South Indian Music Vol. IV — Nāṭa· 2026-07-02How we verify

Ārōhaṇa (ascending)

  1. S
  2. G₂
  3. G₃
  4. M₁
  5. P
  6. N₂
  7. N₃

Avarōhaṇa (descending)

  1. N₃
  2. P
  3. M₁
  4. G₂
  5. S

Signature phrase

S R₃ G₃ M₁ P D₃ N₃ Ṡ N₃ P M₁ R₃ S

The pakad (catch-phrase) is the 4-8 svara motif that defines this raga's identity. Internalise this phrase first — it's what your ear reaches for when the raga returns to its home base.

When to play

Pañcaratna performance, or as a powerful opening-main raga. The heroic quality suits dance-flavored compositions.

Time: Conventionally late-evening to early-night.Rasa: Vīra (heroic), ādbhuta (wonder), śṛṅgāra.Position: main

Gamaka signature

A symmetric sampūrṇa avarohana with R₃ G₃ M₁ P D₃ N₃. The phrase S R G M P D N S in ascent (audava) and full in descent. Strong Ni oscillations.

Historical context

An ancient ghana raga — the ghana-pañcaka (Nāṭa, Gauḷa, Arabhi, Varāḷi, Śrī) are the ragas most suited to the veena tanam style. Patanḍi Guru's tradition.

Key compositions to hear first

  • Jagadānanda Kāraka Tyāgarāja (Pañcaratna #1)
  • Gambhīra Nāṭa Tirunārāyaṇapuram Ārūr
  • Giripai Muttuswāmi Dīkṣitar

Listen to Nāṭa

Arōhaṇa-avarōhaṇa exposition with tampura drone.

Kṛtis in this rāga· 4 entries across 3 composers

Tip: open the raga × composer cross-search on /composers to explore any other raga.

Compose in this ragaPractice this raga

Similar ragas

No Parijat notes for this raga yet — the catalog covers 77 of 81 living ragas.

Nāṭa — Karunattu