Janya raga · child of melakarta 16, Chakravakam
Valaji
वलजि
Valaji is a janya (child) raga born from Chakravakam, the 16th melakarta. It is audava (pentatonic) in ascent, classified audava-audava.
Valajiवलजि
Five notes with no Ri and no Ma.
Drops R1 and M1 from Chakravakam.
Arohanam and avarohanam
Valaji climbs and falls along these paths:
| Arohanam (up) | S G3 P D2 N2 S' |
|---|---|
| Avarohanam (down) | S' N2 D2 P G3 S |
| Notes | 5 ascending, 5 descending (audava-audava) |
| Hindustani sargam | S G P D n |
Five notes with no Ri and no Ma.
Parent and paths checked against karnatik.com, Wikipedia (List of Janya ragas), ragasurabhi.com.
The notes of Valaji, as Western intervals
| Swara | Interval above Sa |
|---|---|
| S | unison (1) |
| G3 | major third (M3) |
| P | perfect fifth (P5) |
| D2 | major sixth (M6) |
| N2 | minor seventh (m7) |
See how every swara becomes an interval in melakarta and Western music.
Songs to learn in Valaji
Valaji 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: Chakravakam
Valaji keeps the tuning of its parent Chakravakam but walks its own road. To see the full seven-note scale it is drawn from, its chords and its other children, read the Chakravakam guide, or learn how janya ragas work in general.
Questions about Valaji
What is the Valaji raga?
Valaji is a janya (derived) raga of the 16th melakarta, Chakravakam. Its arohanam is S G3 P D2 N2 S' and its avarohanam is S' N2 D2 P G3 S.
What are the arohanam and avarohanam of Valaji?
Arohanam (ascending): S G3 P D2 N2 S'. Avarohanam (descending): S' N2 D2 P G3 S.