Nathaniel School of MusicThe Melakarta Sphere

Janya raga · child of melakarta 28, Harikambhoji

Narayani

नारायणी

Narayani is a janya (child) raga born from Harikambhoji, the 28th melakarta. It is audava (pentatonic) in ascent, classified audava-shadava. It carries a mood of Bhakti: devotion; a soft settling.

Narayaniनारायणी

5 up · 6 downaudava-shadavaglide

Bright and devotional; no Ga either way.

Drops G3 from Harikambhoji.

arohana ↗avarohana ↘SR2M1PD2S'S'N2D2PM1R2S

Arohanam and avarohanam

Narayani climbs and falls along these paths:

Arohanam (up)S R2 M1 P D2 S'
Avarohanam (down)S' N2 D2 P M1 R2 S
Notes5 ascending, 6 descending (audava-shadava)
Hindustani sargamS R m P D n

Bright and devotional; no Ga either way.

The notes of Narayani, as Western intervals

SwaraInterval above Sa
Sunison (1)
R2major second (M2)
M1perfect fourth (P4)
Pperfect fifth (P5)
D2major sixth (M6)
N2minor seventh (m7)

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

Songs to learn in Narayani

Narayani 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: Harikambhoji

Narayani 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 Narayani in the 3D sphere →

Questions about Narayani

What is the Narayani raga?

Narayani is a janya (derived) raga of the 28th melakarta, Harikambhoji. Its arohanam is S R2 M1 P D2 S' and its avarohanam is S' N2 D2 P M1 R2 S.

What are the arohanam and avarohanam of Narayani?

Arohanam (ascending): S R2 M1 P D2 S'. Avarohanam (descending): S' N2 D2 P M1 R2 S.