Nathaniel School of MusicThe Melakarta Sphere

Janya raga · child of melakarta 28, Harikambhoji

Tilang

तिलंग

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

Tilangतिलंग

5 up · 5 downaudava-audavaglide

Climbs on the sharp seventh and comes down on the flat one; no Ri, no Dha.

Drops R2 and D2 from Harikambhoji. Hindustani cousin: Tilang.

arohana ↗avarohana ↘SG3M1PN3S'S'N2PM1G3S

Arohanam and avarohanam

Tilang climbs and falls along these paths:

Arohanam (up)S G3 M1 P N3 S'
Avarohanam (down)S' N2 P M1 G3 S
Notes5 ascending, 5 descending (audava-audava)
Hindustani sargamS G m P n N

Climbs on the sharp seventh and comes down on the flat one; no Ri, no Dha.

The notes of Tilang, as Western intervals

SwaraInterval above Sa
Sunison (1)
G3major third (M3)
M1perfect fourth (P4)
Pperfect fifth (P5)
N2minor seventh (m7)
N3major seventh (M7)

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

Songs to learn in Tilang

Tilang 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

Tilang 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 Tilang in the 3D sphere →

Questions about Tilang

What is the Tilang raga?

Tilang is a janya (derived) raga of the 28th melakarta, Harikambhoji. Its arohanam is S G3 M1 P N3 S' and its avarohanam is S' N2 P M1 G3 S.

What are the arohanam and avarohanam of Tilang?

Arohanam (ascending): S G3 M1 P N3 S'. Avarohanam (descending): S' N2 P M1 G3 S.

What is Tilang in Western or Hindustani music?

Its Hindustani counterpart is Tilang.