Mohanam

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Mohanam
ArohanamS R₂ G₃ P D₂ 
Avarohanam D₂ P G₃ R₂ S
EquivalentMajor pentatonic scale

Mohanam is a rāga in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is an audava rāga (or owdava rāga, meaning pentatonic scale). It is usually described as a janya rāga of Harikamboji (28th Melakartha Raga). However, alternate opinions suggest that Mechakalyani may be a more appropriate classification based on the lakshana of the raga.

The equivalent of Mohanam in Hindustani music is Bhoop[1] (or Bhopali[2]).

It is one of the most common pentatonic scales across the world[1] and is very popular in East Asian and Southeast Asian music, including China and Japan.

Structure and Lakshana[edit]

Mohanam scale with shadjam at C

Mohanam is a symmetric rāga that does not contain madhyamam and nishādham. It is a symmetric pentatonic scale (audava-audava raga[1][2] in Carnatic music classification - audava meaning 'of 5'). Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure (ascending and descending scale) is as follows (see swaras in Carnatic music for details on below notation and terms):

(the notes used in this scale are shadjam, chathusruthi rishabham, antara gandharam, panchamam, chathusruthi dhaivatham)

Mohanam is usually classified as a janya rāga of Harikambhoji, the 28th Melakarta rāga, though alternate opinions exist that prefer classifying it as a janya raga of Kalyani based on its lakshana. The Hindustani equivalent Bhoop is associated with Kalyan thaat (the equivalent of Kalyani).

One of the first scales employed by the ancient Tamils was the Mullaippann (3 BCE), a pentatonic scale composed of the notes sa ri ga pa da equivalent to C, D, E, G, and A in the western notations. These fully harmonic scales, constitutes the raga Mohanam in the Carnatic music style.

Popular compositions[edit]

Mohanam rāga lends itself to extensive elaboration and exploration and has many classical music and film music compositions.

Kritis[edit]

The geetham Varavina mridupani is one of the first short songs taught to beginners in Carnatic music. Ninnukori composed by Poochi Srinivasa Iyengar is a popular Varnam in this scale. Here are some popular kritis composed in Mohanam.


Tamil movie songs in Mohanam[edit]

Song Movie Lyricist Composer Singer
Giridhara Gopala Meera S. V. Venkatraman M. S. Subbulakshmi
Thillai Ambala Nadaraajaa Soubhagyavathi Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram Pendyala Nageswara Rao T. M. Soundararajan
Nilavum Malarum Then Nilavu Kannadasan A. M. Rajah A. M. Rajah, P. Susheela
Aarumugamana Porul Kandhan Karunai K. V. Mahadevan S. Janaki,Rajalakshmi
Om Namasivaya Thiruvilaiyadal Sirkazhi Govindarajan, P. Susheela
Malargal Nanaindhana Idhaya Kamalam P. Susheela
Velli Mani Oosaiyil Iru Malargal Vaali M. S. Viswanathan
Chittukuruvikenna Saavale Samali Kannadasan
Iraivan Varuvan Shanthi Nilayam
Yaumuna Nadhi Inge Gowaravam S. P. Balasubramaniam, P. Susheela
Sangey Mozhangu Kalangarai Vilakam Bharathidasan P. Susheela,Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Thanga Thoniyile Ulagam Sutrum Vaaliban Vaali K. J. Yesudas, P. Susheela
Bansaye T. M. Soundarajan, L. R. Easwari
Kadaloram Vaangiya Kaatru Rickshawkaaran T. M. Soundarajan
Vanda naal mudhal Paavamannippu Kannadasan
Thiruchendoorin Kadalorathil Senthilnaathan Dheivam Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan T. M. Soundararajan, Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Neelakkadalin Oratthil Annai Velankanni G. Devarajan T. M. Soundararajan, P. Madhuri
Oru Kadhal Samrajyam Nandha En Nila V. Dakshinamoorthy P. Jayachandran, T. K. Kala
Ninu Kori Varnam Isaithida Agni Natchatram Illayaraja Chitra
Kanmaniye Kadhal Enbadhu Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Nilavu thoongum Kungumachimizh
Meenkodi Theril Karumbhu Vil K.J. Yesudas, Jency Anthony
Vaan Pole Vannam Salangai Oli Vairamuthu S. P. Balasubhramaniam, S. P. Sailaja
Oru Thanga Rathathil Dharma Yutham Malaysia Vasudevan
Kannan Oru kaikulanthai Bhadrakali KJ Yesudas,P Susheela
Kaathirunthen Thaniye Rasa Magan Chandrasekar, Srilekha
Sreeramane Unnai Kangalin Vaarthaigal K. S. Chithra, Illayaraja
Oru Raagam Anandha Ragam Gangai Amaran K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki
Geetham Sangeetham Kokarako S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Poovil Vandu Kaadhal Oviyam Vairamuthu
Ravi varman oviyamo Puthu vayal Aravinth
Sivappu Lolaku Kaadhal Kottai Deva
Vellarika Krishnaraj
Nepala Malaiyoram Thaikulame Thaikulame S. P. Balasubhramaniam,Swarnalatha
Priya Priya Kattabomman (film) S. P. Balasubhramaniam,K.S.Chitra
Thoonganakuruvi Jallikattu kalai
Kadhal Kaditham Cheran Pandiyan Soundaryan S.A. Rajkumar, Swarnalatha
Boom Boom Boys Kabilan A. R. Rahman Adnan Sami,Sadhana Sargam
Ennodu Nee Irundhaal I Sid Sriram,Sunitha Sarathy
Porale Ponnuthayi Karuthamma Vairamuthu Unni Menon, Sujatha Mohan
Pakkada Pakkade Gentleman Minmini
Varayo Thozhi Jeans Sonu Nigam, Harini
Samba Samba Love Birds Aslam Mustafa
Poi Solla Poren Thiruttu Payale Bharadwaj KK, Kanmani
Oru Kathal Enpathu Chinna Thambi Periya Thambi Gangai Amaran S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Unnai Ninachi Avathara Purushan Sirpy S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Mudhal Mudhalai Varushamellam Vasantham P. Unnikrishnan, Sujatha
Pottu Mela Pottu Janakiraman S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Anuradha Sriram
Mainaave Mainaave Thithikudhe Vidyasagar P. Unnikrishnan, Sadhana Sargam
Rosave Rosave Ellaichami Pulamaipithan S. A. Rajkumar Malaysia Vasudevan, K. S. Chithra
Maname Thottal Thottachinungi Phillip Jerry Hariharan, K. S. Chithra
Kadhalithal Anandham Style Bharani
Uchi Mudhal Sukran Vijay Antony Timmy, Gayathri
Engeyum Kadhal Engeyum Kadhal Thamarai Harris Jayaraj Aalap Raju, Devan Ekambaram, Ranina Reddy
Malayalam movie songs in Mohanam (Selected)
Song Movie Lyricist Composer singer(s)
Malini nadiyil Sakunthala Vayalar Ramavarma G Devarajan KJ Yesudas, P Suseela
Manjalayil mungi thorthi Kalithozhan P Bhaskaran G Devarajan P Jayachandran
Manjani Poonilaav Nagarame Nandi P Bhaskaran K Raghavan S Janaki
Suprabhatham (neelagiriyude) Panitheeratha Veedu Vayalar Ramavarma MS Viswanathan P Jayachandran
Chandrikayilaliyunnu Bharyamar Sookshikkuka Sreekumaran Thampi V Dakshinamoorthy KJ Yesudas, P Leela, AM Raja
Pournami Chandrika Rest House Sreekumaran Thampi MK Arjunan KJ Yesudas
Madhuchandrikayude Anachadanam Vayalar Ramavarma G Devarajan P Jayachandran
Swargaputhri Navarathri Nizhalattam Vayalar Ramavarma G Devarajan KJ Yesudas
Guruvayurambala Nadayil Othenante makan Vayalar Ramavarma G Devarajan KJ Yesudas
Ezharapponnana purath Akkarappacha Vayalar Ramavarma G Devarajan P Madhuri
Nin maniyarayile CID Nazir Sreekumaran Thampi MK Arjunan P Jayachandran
Arivin Nilave Rajashilpi ONV Kurup Raveendran KS Chithra
Etho nidrathan Ayal Katha Ezhuthukayanu Kaithapram Raveendran KJ Yesudas
Maarikkuliril neela thulasi Kouravar Kaithapram SP Venkitesh KJ Yesudas, KS Chithra
Chandanalepa Sugandham Oru vadakkan veeragatha K Jayakumar Ravi Bombay KJ Yesudas
Aareyum Bhava gayakan aakkum Nakhakshathangal ONV Kurup Ravi Bombay KJ Yesudas
Maayaponmane Thalayanamanthram Kaithapram Johnson KS Chithra
Manje vaa madhuvidhu vela Thusharam Yousuf Ali Kechery Shyam KJ Yesudas, SP Balasubrahmaniam
Thaara noopuram chaarthi Sopanam Kaithapram SP Venkitesh KJ Yesudas, Manju Menon
Mouliyil mayilpeeli Nandanam Gireesh Puthenchery Raveendran KS Chithra
Ponkasavu njoriyum joker Yousuf Ali Kechery Mohan Sithara P Jayachandran, KS Chithra
Parvanendu mukhi Parinayam Yousuf Ali Kechery Ravi Bombay KS Chithra
Kaliveedurangiyallo Deshadanam Kaithapram Kaithapram KJ Yesudas
Aakasha neelima Kayyum thalayum purathidaruth Mullanezhi Raveendran KJ Yesudas
Nee en sarga soundaryame Kathodu kathoram ONV kurupp Ouseppachan KJ Yesudas, Lathika

Language:English[edit]

Song Album Composer Singer
Barbie Girl Aquarium Johnny Jam, Delgado, Rasted, and Norreen Aqua
Don't Matter Konvicted Akon Akon
Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) FIFA WC 2010 Official Song Shakira & John Hill Shakira

Telugu Film Songs[edit]

Song Movie Lyricist Composer Singer
Mounamga Manasu Padina Gundamma Katha Pingali Nagendrarao S. Rajaswara Rao Ghantasala
Seelamu Galavari Chinavada Palnati Yudhham Malladi Ramakrishna Sastry S. Rajaswara Rao Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna, P. Susheela
Echatanunchi Veecheno Ee Challanigaali Appu Chesi Pappukudu Pingali Nagendrarao Pendyala Nageswarrao Ghantasala, P. Susheela
Manasu Parimalinchene Tanuvu Paravasinchene Srikrishnarjuna Yuddham Pingali Nagendrarao Pendyala Nageswarrao Ghantasala, P. Susheela
Mohanraga Maha Murthymanthamaye Mahamantri Timmarasu Pingali Nagendrarao Pendyala Nageswarrao Ghantasala, P. Susheela
Lahirilo Lahirilo Mayabazaar Pingali Nagendrarao S. Rajaswara Rao Ghantasala, P. Leela
Madhilo Veenalu Mroge Atmeeyulu Dasarathi S. Rajeswara Rao P. Susheela
Padavela Radhika Pranayasudha Geethika Iddaru Mitrulu SriSri S. Rajeswara Rao Ghantasala, P. Susheela
Siva Siva Sankara Bhakta Kannappa Veturi Sundarrammurthy Sathyam V. Ramakrishna
Palikinadi Pilichinadi Seetaaraamulu Atreya Sathyam S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Suseela
Nemalaki Nerpian Nadakalivi Saptapadi Veturi Sundarrammurthy K. V. Mahadevan S. Janaki
Akasamlo Asala Harivillu Swarnakamalam Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry Ilayaraja S. Janaki
Ninu Kori Varnam Sarisari Gharshana Rajasree Ilayaraja Chitra, Vani Jayaram
Maaterani Chinnadhani O Papa Lali Rajasree Ilayaraja S. P. Balasubramanyam
Chinnadana Osi Chinnadana Premalekha Bhuvanachandra Deva Krishnaraj
Raave Naa Cheliya Jeans Siva Ganesh A R Rahman Sonu Nigam, Harini
Ye shwasalo Cherithe Nenunnanu Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry MM keeravani Chitra

Related rāgas[edit]

Graha bhedam[edit]

Mohanam's notes when shifted using Graha bhedam, yields 4 other major pentatonic rāgas, namely, Hindolam, Shuddha Saveri, Udayaravichandrika (also known as Shuddha Dhanyasi) and Madhyamavati. Graha bhedam is the step taken in keeping the relative note frequencies same, while shifting the shadjam to the next note in the rāga. For more details and illustration of this concept refer Graha bhedam on Mohanam.

Scale similarities[edit]

  • Mohanakalyani is a rāga which has the ascending scale of Mohanam and descending scale of Kalyani. Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure is S R2 G3 P D2 S : S N3 D2 P M2 G3 R2 S
  • Bilahari is a rāga which has the ascending scale of Mohanam and descending scale of Sankarabharanam. Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure is S R2 G3 P D2 S : S N3 D2 P M1 G3 R2 S
  • Garudadhvani is a rāga which has the ascending scale of Sankarabharanam and descending scale of Mohanam. Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure is S R2 G3 M1 P D2 N3 S : S D2 P G3 R2 S
  • Shivaranjani rāga differs from Mohanam only by the gāndhāram. It uses sadharana gāndhāram instead of antara gāndhāram and its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure is S R2 G2 P D2 S : S D2 P G2 R2 S
  • Hamsadhvani rāga uses nishadam in place of dhaivatam. Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure is S R2 G3 P N3 S : S N3 P G3 R2 S
  • Vaasantha rāga differs from Mohanam only by the daivatham. It uses shudda Daivatham instead of Chatushruti Daivatham and its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure is S R2 G3 P D1 S : S D1 P G3 R2 S

Vasantha used Shudda Rishabham and not Shudda Daivatham

  • Niroshta rāga uses nishadam in place of panchamam. Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure is S R2 G3 D2 N3 S : S N3 D2 G3 R2 S

Notes[edit]

  1. Alternate notations:
    • Hindustani: S R G P D 
    • Western: C D E G A C
  2. Alternate notations:
    • Hindustani:  D P G R S
    • Western: C A G E D C

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Ragas in Carnatic music by Dr. S. Bhagyalekshmy, Pub. 1990, CBH Publications
  2. 2.0 2.1 Raganidhi by P. Subba Rao, Pub. 1964, The Music Academy of Madras


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