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Sankarābharaṇam

Melakarta 29

Equivalent to Ionian; weighty

Venkatamakhin ṛāgaṅga· Dikshitar kriti tradition

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Ārōhaṇa (ascending)

  1. S
  2. R₂
  3. G₃
  4. M₁
  5. P
  6. D₂
  7. N₃

Avarōhaṇa (descending)

  1. N₃
  2. D₂
  3. P
  4. M₁
  5. G₃
  6. R₂
  7. S

Signature phrase

S R₂ G₃ M₁ P D₂ N₃ 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.

Rāga grammar

Vādi (king svara)
G₃
Samvādi (queen svara)
N₃
Jīva (life-giving)
R₂ G₃ N₃
Nyāsa (resting)
S R₂ P N₃
Graha (phrase-starting)
S R₂ G₃

When to play

Universal. The 'default' Carnatic raga for alapana, kalpana swara, neraval, and tanam. Featured in most major compositions. Per Nārada's Sangīta Makaranda, also one of the noon ragas.

Time: Sarva-kālika — but historically associated with afternoon.Rasa: Śānta, bhakti, śṛṅgāra — multi-rasa.Position: main

Gamaka signature

G₃ is rock-still; R and D carry the bulk of the gamaka weight. The phrase S N D P / N S is a visesha sanchāra (special phrase).

Historical context

Ancient Tamil tradition as 'Pazham Panjuram'. The prati-madhyama counterpart is Kalyāṇi (65th melakarta). Traced to Matanga's Bṛhaddeśi (8th c. CE).

Key compositions to hear first

  • Bhajagōvindam — Purandara Dāsa
  • Endarō Mahānubhāvulu — Tyāgarāja (Pañcaratna)
  • Śrī Kamalāmbā Navāvaraṇa — Muttuswāmi Dīkṣitar

Listen to Sankarābharaṇam

Arōhaṇa-avarōhaṇa exposition with tampura drone.

Kṛtis in this rāga· 11 entries across 3 composers

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

Sangeet Parijat — Ahobala's notes

Graha (opening)
Sa
Aṁśa (king svara)
Ga
Nyāsa (rest svara)
Sa
Time
After 1st prahara
Gīti
Sādhāraṇī
Gamaka
kampita

Requires dhālu kampana on Ga and Ni. Without that ornament the raga is unrecognisable.

Compose in this ragaPractice this raga

Similar ragas

Top 5 by mūrchhanā + aṁśa + nyāsa + graha + gītī overlap. Match score shown.

Sankarābharaṇam — Karunattu