Melakarta 21 · Veda chakra · M1 ★ concert raga
Keeravani
कीरवाणी
Keeravani is the 21st melakarta raga. Its scale is S R2 G2 M1 P D1 N3 — the Western Harmonic minor. It carries a mood of Karuna: pathos; the air falls like slow rain.
Hear it from musicians
Signature phrases for Keeravani, 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, Keeravani is built from a major second, a minor third, a perfect fourth, a perfect fifth, a minor sixth, a major seventh. In Carnatic terms that is S R2 G2 M1 P D1 N3; in Hindustani sargam, S R g m P d N.
| Degree | Swara | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | S | unison (1) |
| 2 | R2 | major second (M2) |
| 3 | G2 | minor third (m3) |
| 4 | M1 | perfect fourth (P4) |
| 5 | P | perfect fifth (P5) |
| 6 | D1 | minor sixth (m6) |
| 7 | N3 | major seventh (M7) |
How Keeravani harmonizes
Stack thirds on each note of Keeravani 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
- V G majordominant
- vii° Bdim diminisheddominant
- iv Fm minorpredominant
- ii° Ddim diminishedpredominant
- VI Ab majorcolour
- III+ Ebaug augmentedcolour
Learn the method in how to harmonize a raga.
Music to learn in Keeravani
- Kaligiyunte — Tyagaraja
- Kali Yuga Varada — Traditional · popularised widely; Keeravani is the Western harmonic minor
Questions about Keeravani
What is the Keeravani raga?
Keeravani is melakarta number 21 in the 72-raga system of Carnatic music. Its scale is S R2 G2 M1 P D1 N3, which is the Western Harmonic minor.
Is Keeravani the same as the Western Harmonic minor?
Yes. Keeravani has exactly the same seven notes as the Harmonic minor, so the two are the same scale under different names.
What are famous compositions in Keeravani?
Well-known pieces include Kaligiyunte (Tyagaraja), Kali Yuga Varada (Traditional).
What are the janya ragas of Keeravani?
Keeravani is heard mainly as a parent scale; much Carnatic repertoire lives in the janya ragas of other melakartas.