Nathaniel School of MusicThe Melakarta Sphere

Janya raga · child of melakarta 22, Kharaharapriya

Madhyamavati

मध्यमावती

Madhyamavati is a janya (child) raga born from Kharaharapriya, the 22nd melakarta. It is audava (pentatonic) in ascent, classified audava-audava, and known in Hindustani music as Madhumad Sarang. It carries a mood of Shanta: stillness; the air barely moves.

Madhyamavatiमध्यमावती

5 up · 5 downaudava-audavaglide

The auspicious close; concerts end in its calm.

Drops G2 and D2 from Kharaharapriya. Hindustani cousin: Madhumad Sarang.

arohana ↗avarohana ↘SR2M1PN2S'S'N2PM1R2S

Arohanam and avarohanam

Madhyamavati climbs and falls along these paths:

Arohanam (up)S R2 M1 P N2 S'
Avarohanam (down)S' N2 P M1 R2 S
Notes5 ascending, 5 descending (audava-audava)
Hindustani sargamS R m P n

The auspicious close; concerts end in its calm.

The notes of Madhyamavati, as Western intervals

SwaraInterval above Sa
Sunison (1)
R2major second (M2)
M1perfect fourth (P4)
Pperfect fifth (P5)
N2minor seventh (m7)

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

Songs to learn in Madhyamavati

  • Ramakatha SudhaTyagaraja
  • AlakalallaTyagaraja · Madhyamavati is the auspicious raga that closes a concert

The parent: Kharaharapriya

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

Open Madhyamavati in the 3D sphere →

Questions about Madhyamavati

What is the Madhyamavati raga?

Madhyamavati is a janya (derived) raga of the 22nd melakarta, Kharaharapriya. Its arohanam is S R2 M1 P N2 S' and its avarohanam is S' N2 P M1 R2 S.

What are the arohanam and avarohanam of Madhyamavati?

Arohanam (ascending): S R2 M1 P N2 S'. Avarohanam (descending): S' N2 P M1 R2 S.

What are famous songs in Madhyamavati?

Well-known compositions include Ramakatha Sudha (Tyagaraja), Alakalalla (Tyagaraja).

What is Madhyamavati in Western or Hindustani music?

Its Hindustani counterpart is Madhumad Sarang.