Melakarta 10 · Netra chakra · M1
Natakapriya
नाटकप्रिया
Natakapriya is the 10th melakarta raga. Its scale is S R1 G2 M1 P D2 N2 — the Western Dorian b2 (melodic minor mode 2).
Hear it from musicians
Signature phrases for Natakapriya, recorded by musicians in the community and curated by Jason Zac. Every phrase carries the artist’s name and link — add your own voice to this raga.
The scale and its Western intervals
Reading up from Sa, Natakapriya is built from a minor second, a minor third, a perfect fourth, a perfect fifth, a major sixth, a minor seventh. In Carnatic terms that is S R1 G2 M1 P D2 N2; in Hindustani sargam, S r g m P D n.
| Degree | Swara | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | S | unison (1) |
| 2 | R1 | minor second (m2) |
| 3 | G2 | minor third (m3) |
| 4 | M1 | perfect fourth (P4) |
| 5 | P | perfect fifth (P5) |
| 6 | D2 | major sixth (M6) |
| 7 | N2 | minor seventh (m7) |
How Natakapriya harmonizes
Stack thirds on each note of Natakapriya and these chords appear. Home is the chord on Sa; the chord on Pa is the dominant that pulls back to it.
- i Cm minorhome
- vii Bbm minordominant
- v° Gdim diminisheddominant
- IV F majorpredominant
- II+ Dbaug augmentedpredominant
- III Eb majorcolour
- vi° Adim diminishedcolour
Learn the method in how to harmonize a raga.
Music to learn in Natakapriya
Natakapriya is met most often as a parent scale for study and improvisation. Much of its living music flows through janya ragas; a good next step is to sing its scale slowly over a tanpura and explore its phrases in the 3D sphere.
Questions about Natakapriya
What is the Natakapriya raga?
Natakapriya is melakarta number 10 in the 72-raga system of Carnatic music. Its scale is S R1 G2 M1 P D2 N2, which is the Western Dorian b2 (melodic minor mode 2).
Is Natakapriya the same as the Western Dorian b2 (melodic minor mode 2)?
Yes. Natakapriya has exactly the same seven notes as the Dorian b2 (melodic minor mode 2), so the two are the same scale under different names.
What are the janya ragas of Natakapriya?
Natakapriya is heard mainly as a parent scale; much Carnatic repertoire lives in the janya ragas of other melakartas.