Shankarbarnam Ragam

 Shankarbarnam Ragam

Arohanam:   S R2 G3 M1 P D2 N3 S
Avarohanam:   S N3 D2 P M1 G3 R2 S

Shankarabharanam is a prominent ragam (musical scale) in Carnatic music, the classical music of South India. It corresponds to the Western major scale and is known for its bright, happy, and uplifting character.

Characteristics:

• Parent Ragam (Melakarta): Shankarabharanam is the 29th melakarta ragam in the 72 melakarta ragam system.
• Arohanam (Ascending Scale): S R₂ G₃ M₁ P D₂ N₃ S
  • Notes: Sa, Ri (Chatusruti Rishabham), Ga (Antara Gandharam), Ma (Shuddha Madhyamam), Pa, Da (Chatusruti Dhaivatham), Ni (Kakali Nishadam), Sa
• Avarohanam (Descending Scale): S N₃ D₂ P M₁ G₃ R₂ S
  • Notes: Sa, Ni (Kakali Nishadam), Da (Chatusruti Dhaivatham), Pa, Ma (Shuddha Madhyamam), Ga (Antara Gandharam), Ri (Chatusruti Rishabham), Sa
• Equivalent in Western Music: Major scale or Ionian mode (C major scale if Shankarabharanam is played starting from C).

Importance:

• Basic Ragam: Shankarabharanam is one of the fundamental ragams taught to beginners due to its straightforward scale that matches the Western major scale.
• Universality: The ragam's universality and simplicity make it a common choice for compositions and improvisation.
• Emotional Tone: It evokes a sense of joy and contentment, often used in compositions expressing happiness, devotion, and tranquility.

Compositions:

Shankarabharanam is the foundation for many compositions in Carnatic music. Some well-known kritis (compositions) in this ragam include:

• "Swara Raga Sudha" by Tyagaraja
• "Endaro Mahanubhavulu" by Tyagaraja
• "Sarojadalanetri" by Shyama Shastri

Usage in Concerts:

Due to its versatile nature, Shankarabharanam is a popular choice for elaboration during concerts. It allows extensive improvisation in alapana (free-form exposition of a ragam), niraval (improvisation within a line of a composition), and kalpanaswaras (improvised swaras within a specific framework).

Janya Ragas:

Shankarabharanam has numerous janya ragas (derived scales) under it, which borrow its notes but have different ascending and/or descending structures. Some examples are:

• Khamas
• Hamsadhwani
• Anandabhairavi

In summary, Shankarabharanam is a cornerstone ragam in Carnatic music, cherished for its melodic simplicity and emotional expressiveness, paralleling the major scale in Western music.

Film Songs:

Omkara Nadhaanu

https://www.indiapicks.com/SNT_Telugu/P-263.htm

Websites:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sankarabharanam_(raga)

https://musicmaster.in/blog/sankarabharana-ragam/

https://www.chandraveena.com/blog/r19-shankarabharanam/

https://musikclass.bookmetickets.com/content/raga-shankarabharanam-a-technical-guide

http://www.shivkumar.org/music/manodharma/ragas/shankarabharanam/shankarabharanam.htm

https://puretones.sadharani.com/learn/shankarabharanam-kaushikadhwani/

https://www.indiapicks.com/SNT_Telugu/P-263.htm

https://ragacourses.com/lessons/the-major-scale-to-raga-shankarabharanam/

https://anuradhamahesh.wordpress.com/carnatic-music-lessons-2/23-analysis-of-sankarabharanam-ata-tala-varnam/

Youtube Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nbFmGJOpH8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb6riEq1akw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahWesiIDv78

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHG4TaukN7Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHG4TaukN7Q