Janya raga · child of melakarta 15, Mayamalavagowla
Lalitha
ललिता
Lalitha is a janya (child) raga born from Mayamalavagowla, the 15th melakarta. It is shadava (six notes) in ascent, classified shadava-shadava.
Lalithaललिता
No Pa in either direction.
Drops P from Mayamalavagowla.
Arohanam and avarohanam
Lalitha climbs and falls along these paths:
| Arohanam (up) | S R1 G3 M1 D1 N3 S' |
|---|---|
| Avarohanam (down) | S' N3 D1 M1 G3 R1 S |
| Notes | 6 ascending, 6 descending (shadava-shadava) |
| Hindustani sargam | S r G m d N |
No Pa in either direction.
Parent and paths checked against karnatik.com, Wikipedia (List of Janya ragas), ragasurabhi.com.
The notes of Lalitha, as Western intervals
| Swara | Interval above Sa |
|---|---|
| S | unison (1) |
| R1 | minor second (m2) |
| G3 | major third (M3) |
| M1 | perfect fourth (P4) |
| D1 | minor sixth (m6) |
| N3 | major seventh (M7) |
See how every swara becomes an interval in melakarta and Western music.
Songs to learn in Lalitha
- Hiranmayim Lakshmim, Muthuswami Dikshitar
- Agastishvaram, Muthuswami Dikshitar
- Nannu Brovu Lalita, Syama Sastri
The parent: Mayamalavagowla
Lalitha 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 Lalitha
What is the Lalitha raga?
Lalitha is a janya (derived) raga of the 15th melakarta, Mayamalavagowla. Its arohanam is S R1 G3 M1 D1 N3 S' and its avarohanam is S' N3 D1 M1 G3 R1 S.
What are the arohanam and avarohanam of Lalitha?
Arohanam (ascending): S R1 G3 M1 D1 N3 S'. Avarohanam (descending): S' N3 D1 M1 G3 R1 S.
What are famous songs in Lalitha?
Well-known compositions include Hiranmayim Lakshmim (Muthuswami Dikshitar), Agastishvaram (Muthuswami Dikshitar), Nannu Brovu Lalita (Syama Sastri).