Nathaniel School of MusicThe Melakarta Sphere

Janya raga · child of melakarta 28, Harikambhoji

Mohanam

मोहनम्

Mohanam is a janya (child) raga born from Harikambhoji, the 28th melakarta. It is audava (pentatonic) in ascent, classified audava-audava — close to the Western Major pentatonic, and known in Hindustani music as Bhupali (Bhoop). It carries a mood of Hasya: mirth; light motes rise and scatter.

Mohanamमोहनम्

5 up · 5 downaudava-audavaglide

The beloved pentatonic; joy with no shadow.

Drops M1 and N2 from Harikambhoji. Hindustani cousin: Bhupali (Bhoop).

arohana ↗avarohana ↘SR2G3PD2S'S'D2PG3R2S

Arohanam and avarohanam

Mohanam climbs and falls along these paths:

Arohanam (up)S R2 G3 P D2 S'
Avarohanam (down)S' D2 P G3 R2 S
Notes5 ascending, 5 descending (audava-audava)
Hindustani sargamS R G P D

The beloved pentatonic; joy with no shadow.

The notes of Mohanam, as Western intervals

SwaraInterval above Sa
Sunison (1)
R2major second (M2)
G3major third (M3)
Pperfect fifth (P5)
D2major sixth (M6)

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

Songs to learn in Mohanam

  • Mohana RamaTyagaraja
  • Nannu PalimpaTyagaraja
  • Ninnukori (varnam)Poochi Srinivasa Iyengar

The parent: Harikambhoji

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

Open Mohanam in the 3D sphere →

Questions about Mohanam

What is the Mohanam raga?

Mohanam is a janya (derived) raga of the 28th melakarta, Harikambhoji. Its arohanam is S R2 G3 P D2 S' and its avarohanam is S' D2 P G3 R2 S.

What are the arohanam and avarohanam of Mohanam?

Arohanam (ascending): S R2 G3 P D2 S'. Avarohanam (descending): S' D2 P G3 R2 S.

What are famous songs in Mohanam?

Well-known compositions include Mohana Rama (Tyagaraja), Nannu Palimpa (Tyagaraja), Ninnukori (varnam) (Poochi Srinivasa Iyengar).

What is Mohanam in Western or Hindustani music?

In Western terms it is the Major pentatonic. Its Hindustani counterpart is Bhupali (Bhoop).