Melakarta 15 · Agni chakra · M1 ★ concert raga
Mayamalavagowla
मायामालवगौल
Mayamalavagowla is the 15th melakarta raga. Its scale is S R1 G3 M1 P D1 N3 — the Western Double harmonic major. It carries a mood of Bhakti: devotion; a soft settling.
Hear it from musicians
Signature phrases for Mayamalavagowla, 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, Mayamalavagowla is built from a minor second, a major third, a perfect fourth, a perfect fifth, a minor sixth, a major seventh. In Carnatic terms that is S R1 G3 M1 P D1 N3; in Hindustani sargam, S r G m P d N (the Bhairav thaat).
| Degree | Swara | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | S | unison (1) |
| 2 | R1 | minor second (m2) |
| 3 | G3 | major third (M3) |
| 4 | M1 | perfect fourth (P4) |
| 5 | P | perfect fifth (P5) |
| 6 | D1 | minor sixth (m6) |
| 7 | N3 | major seventh (M7) |
How Mayamalavagowla harmonizes
Stack thirds on each note of Mayamalavagowla and these chords appear. Home is the chord on Sa; the chord on Pa is the dominant that pulls back to it.
- I C majorhome
- V♭5 G(b5) major flat fivedominant
- VII· B(cluster) clusterdominant
- II Db majorpredominant
- iv Fm minorpredominant
- iii Em minorcolour
- VI+ Abaug augmentedcolour
Learn the method in how to harmonize a raga.
Janya ragas of Mayamalavagowla
These child ragas are born from Mayamalavagowla by dropping notes or bending the path: Malahari, Saveri, Bauli, Gurjari, Jaganmohini. 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.
Malahariमलहरि
The first geetam every student sings lives here.
Drops N3 from Mayamalavagowla.
Saveriसावेरि
Same climb as Malahari, a fuller fall; pathos in the Ri.
Keeps all seven notes of Mayamalavagowla; only the path differs.
Bauliबौली
A serene daybreak raga; no madhyama at all, and Ni only on the way down.
Drops M1 from Mayamalavagowla. Hindustani cousin: Bibhas.
Gurjariगुर्जरी
Mayamalavagowla's notes held apart by phrasing; it once competed for the mela-15 seat.
Keeps all seven notes of Mayamalavagowla; only the path differs.
Jaganmohiniजगन्मोहिनी
Beguiling, as the name says; Ri waits for the descent.
Drops D1 from Mayamalavagowla.
Music to learn in Mayamalavagowla
- Tulasidala — Tyagaraja
- Merusamana — Tyagaraja
- Sri Nathadi Guruguho — Muthuswami Dikshitar
- Deva Deva — Swati Tirunal · the raga in which every beginner sings the first sarali varisai
Questions about Mayamalavagowla
What is the Mayamalavagowla raga?
Mayamalavagowla is melakarta number 15 in the 72-raga system of Carnatic music. Its scale is S R1 G3 M1 P D1 N3, which is the Western Double harmonic major.
Is Mayamalavagowla the same as the Western Double harmonic major?
Yes. Mayamalavagowla has exactly the same seven notes as the Double harmonic major, so the two are the same scale under different names.
What are famous compositions in Mayamalavagowla?
Well-known pieces include Tulasidala (Tyagaraja), Merusamana (Tyagaraja), Sri Nathadi Guruguho (Muthuswami Dikshitar), Deva Deva (Swati Tirunal).
What are the janya ragas of Mayamalavagowla?
Its well-known child ragas include Malahari, Saveri, Bauli, Gurjari, Jaganmohini.