Nathaniel School of MusicThe Melakarta Sphere

Janya raga · child of melakarta 60, Neetimati

Hamsanadam

हंसनादम्

Hamsanadam is a janya (child) raga born from Neetimati, the 60th melakarta. It is audava (pentatonic) in ascent, classified audava-audava. It carries a mood of Veera: valour; sparks climb.

Hamsanadamहंसनादम्

5 up · 5 downaudava-audavaglide

Five notes with the sharp Ma; bright as a struck bell.

Drops G2 and D3 from Neetimati.

arohana ↗avarohana ↘SR2M2PN3S'S'N3PM2R2S

Arohanam and avarohanam

Hamsanadam climbs and falls along these paths:

Arohanam (up)S R2 M2 P N3 S'
Avarohanam (down)S' N3 P M2 R2 S
Notes5 ascending, 5 descending (audava-audava)
Hindustani sargamS R M' P N

Five notes with the sharp Ma; bright as a struck bell.

The notes of Hamsanadam, as Western intervals

SwaraInterval above Sa
Sunison (1)
R2major second (M2)
M2augmented fourth (A4)
Pperfect fifth (P5)
N3major seventh (M7)

See how every swara becomes an interval in melakarta and Western music.

Songs to learn in Hamsanadam

Hamsanadam 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: Neetimati

Hamsanadam keeps the tuning of its parent Neetimati but walks its own road. To see the full seven-note scale it is drawn from, its chords and its other children, read the Neetimati guide, or learn how janya ragas work in general.

Open Hamsanadam in the 3D sphere →

Questions about Hamsanadam

What is the Hamsanadam raga?

Hamsanadam is a janya (derived) raga of the 60th melakarta, Neetimati. Its arohanam is S R2 M2 P N3 S' and its avarohanam is S' N3 P M2 R2 S.

What are the arohanam and avarohanam of Hamsanadam?

Arohanam (ascending): S R2 M2 P N3 S'. Avarohanam (descending): S' N3 P M2 R2 S.