Melakarta 11 · Netra chakra · M1
Kokilapriya
कोकिलप्रिया
Kokilapriya is the 11th melakarta raga. Its scale is S R1 G2 M1 P D2 N3, the Western Neapolitan major.
Hear it from musicians
Signature phrases for Kokilapriya, 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, Kokilapriya is built from a minor second, a minor third, a perfect fourth, a perfect fifth, a major sixth, a major seventh. In Carnatic terms that is S R1 G2 M1 P D2 N3; 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 | N3 | major seventh (M7) |
How Kokilapriya harmonizes
Stack thirds on each note of Kokilapriya and these chords appear. Home is the chord on Sa; the chord on Pa is the dominant that pulls back to it.
- i Gm minorhome
- V♭5 D(b5) major flat fivedominant
- VIIsus2♭5 F#sus2(b5) suspended second flat fivedominant
- IV C majorpredominant
- II+ Abaug augmentedpredominant
- vi° Edim diminishedcolour
- III+ Bbaug augmentedcolour
Learn the method in how to harmonize a raga.
Janya ragas of Kokilapriya
These child ragas are born from Kokilapriya by dropping notes or bending the path: Vardhani. Each card shows the three things that make a janya itself: how many notes it keeps, which way its road runs (any vakra turn is ringed in red), and how it glides between swaras. See how janya ragas work.
Vardhaniवर्धनी
Rare; the climb skips Ri and doubles back at Ma.
Keeps all seven notes of Kokilapriya; only the path differs.
Music to learn in Kokilapriya
Kokilapriya 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.
Notated to play along
Each opens in Stage mode on a real staff, with the sung syllables under the notes. Loop it, change Sa, and play or sing along.
- Kokilapriyamra Kisalayanga · Maha Vaidyanatha Iyer · Adi tala
Questions about Kokilapriya
What is the Kokilapriya raga?
Kokilapriya is melakarta number 11 in the 72-raga system of Carnatic music. Its scale is S R1 G2 M1 P D2 N3, which is the Western Neapolitan major.
Is Kokilapriya the same as the Western Neapolitan major?
Yes. Kokilapriya has exactly the same seven notes as the Neapolitan major, so the two are the same scale under different names.
What are the janya ragas of Kokilapriya?
Its well-known child ragas include Vardhani.