Janya raga · child of melakarta 15, Mayamalavagowla
Malahari
मलहरि
Malahari is a janya (child) raga born from Mayamalavagowla, the 15th melakarta. It is audava (pentatonic) in ascent, classified audava-shadava. It carries a mood of Bhakti: devotion; a soft settling.
Malahariमलहरि
The first geetam every student sings lives here.
Drops N3 from Mayamalavagowla.
Arohanam and avarohanam
Malahari climbs and falls along these paths:
| Arohanam (up) | S R1 M1 P D1 S' |
|---|---|
| Avarohanam (down) | S' D1 P M1 G3 R1 S |
| Notes | 5 ascending, 6 descending (audava-shadava) |
| Hindustani sargam | S r G m P d |
The first geetam every student sings lives here.
The notes of Malahari, 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) |
See how every swara becomes an interval in melakarta and Western music.
Songs to learn in Malahari
- Sri Gananatha (geetam) — Purandara Dasa · the very first piece a Carnatic student learns
The parent: Mayamalavagowla
Malahari 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 Malahari
What is the Malahari raga?
Malahari is a janya (derived) raga of the 15th melakarta, Mayamalavagowla. Its arohanam is S R1 M1 P D1 S' and its avarohanam is S' D1 P M1 G3 R1 S.
What are the arohanam and avarohanam of Malahari?
Arohanam (ascending): S R1 M1 P D1 S'. Avarohanam (descending): S' D1 P M1 G3 R1 S.
What are famous songs in Malahari?
Well-known compositions include Sri Gananatha (geetam) (Purandara Dasa).