Janya raga · child of melakarta 36, Chalanata · vakra
Nattai
नाट
Nattai is a janya (child) raga born from Chalanata, the 36th melakarta. It is sampurna (all seven) in ascent, classified sampurna-shadava. It carries a mood of Veera: valour; sparks climb.
Nattaiनाट
The opening raga; blazing, ceremonial, Jagadanandakaraka.
Keeps all seven notes of Chalanata; only the path differs.
Arohanam and avarohanam
Nattai climbs and falls along these paths:
| Arohanam (up) | S R3 G3 M1 P D3 N3 S' |
|---|---|
| Avarohanam (down) | S' N3 P M1 G3 M1 R3 S |
| Notes | 7 ascending, 6 descending (sampurna-shadava) |
| Hindustani sargam | S g G m P n N |
The opening raga; blazing, ceremonial, Jagadanandakaraka.
The notes of Nattai, as Western intervals
| Swara | Interval above Sa |
|---|---|
| S | unison (1) |
| R3 | augmented second (A2) |
| G3 | major third (M3) |
| M1 | perfect fourth (P4) |
| P | perfect fifth (P5) |
| D3 | augmented sixth (A6) |
| N3 | major seventh (M7) |
See how every swara becomes an interval in melakarta and Western music.
Songs to learn in Nattai
Nattai 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: Chalanata
Nattai keeps the tuning of its parent Chalanata but walks its own road. To see the full seven-note scale it is drawn from, its chords and its other children, read the Chalanata guide, or learn how janya ragas work in general.
Questions about Nattai
What is the Nattai raga?
Nattai is a janya (derived) raga of the 36th melakarta, Chalanata. Its arohanam is S R3 G3 M1 P D3 N3 S' and its avarohanam is S' N3 P M1 G3 M1 R3 S.
What are the arohanam and avarohanam of Nattai?
Arohanam (ascending): S R3 G3 M1 P D3 N3 S'. Avarohanam (descending): S' N3 P M1 G3 M1 R3 S.