← All ragas

Nāṭakurinji

Janya of Harikāmbhōji (28) — vakra-sampūrṇa in practice

Dramatic, playful, distinctive

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

Ārōhaṇa (ascending)

  1. S
  2. R₂
  3. G₃
  4. M₁
  5. P
  6. D₂
  7. N₂

Avarōhaṇa (descending)

  1. N₂
  2. D₂
  3. P
  4. M₁
  5. G₃
  6. R₂
  7. S

Signature phrase

S R₂ G₃ M₁ P D₂ N₂ Ṡ

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

Post-main or tukkada; excellent for padam-style ālāpana. Pair after a heavy raga to soften the program.

Time: Evening to night.Rasa: Śṛṅgāra and soft bhakti.Position: flexible

Gamaka signature

Ni takes long kampita/andolan; Ga is relatively still. The phrase P D N Ṡ / N D P is characteristic.

Historical context

A padam-friendly janya with strong dance and light-classical presence; related in mood to Khamas-family ragas without being identical.

Key compositions to hear first

  • Kuvalayākṣiro Tyāgarāja
  • Māmava Sada Janani Svāti Tirunāḷ

Listen to Nāṭakurinji

Arōhaṇa-avarōhaṇa exposition with tampura drone.

Kṛtis in this rāga· 1 entry across 1 composer

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.

Nāṭakurinji — Karunattu