Janya raga · child of melakarta 15, Mayamalavagowla · vakra
Gurjari
गुर्जरी
Gurjari is a janya (child) raga born from Mayamalavagowla, the 15th melakarta. It is sampurna (all seven) in ascent, classified sampurna-sampurna. It carries a mood of Bhakti: devotion; a soft settling.
Gurjariगुर्जरी
Mayamalavagowla's notes held apart by phrasing; it once competed for the mela-15 seat.
Keeps all seven notes of Mayamalavagowla; only the path differs.
Arohanam and avarohanam
Gurjari climbs and falls along these paths:
| Arohanam (up) | S R1 G3 M1 P D1 N3 S' |
|---|---|
| Avarohanam (down) | S' D1 N3 P M1 G3 R1 S |
| Notes | 7 ascending, 7 descending (sampurna-sampurna) |
| Hindustani sargam | S r G m P d N |
Mayamalavagowla's notes held apart by phrasing; it once competed for the mela-15 seat.
The notes of Gurjari, as Western intervals
| Swara | Interval above Sa |
|---|---|
| S | unison (1) |
| R1 | minor second (m2) |
| G3 | major third (M3) |
| M1 | perfect fourth (P4) |
| P | perfect fifth (P5) |
| D1 | minor sixth (m6) |
| N3 | major seventh (M7) |
See how every swara becomes an interval in melakarta and Western music.
Songs to learn in Gurjari
Gurjari is explored most in alapana and improvisation. Sing its arohanam and avarohanam slowly over a tanpura to feel its path, and open it in the parent raga’s guide.
The parent: Mayamalavagowla
Gurjari keeps the tuning of its parent Mayamalavagowla but walks its own road. To see the full seven-note scale it is drawn from, its chords and its other children, read the Mayamalavagowla guide, or learn how janya ragas work in general.
Questions about Gurjari
What is the Gurjari raga?
Gurjari is a janya (derived) raga of the 15th melakarta, Mayamalavagowla. Its arohanam is S R1 G3 M1 P D1 N3 S' and its avarohanam is S' D1 N3 P M1 G3 R1 S.
What are the arohanam and avarohanam of Gurjari?
Arohanam (ascending): S R1 G3 M1 P D1 N3 S'. Avarohanam (descending): S' D1 N3 P M1 G3 R1 S.