Nathaniel School of MusicThe Melakarta Sphere

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.

SRgmPdN
Hear Keeravanichoose your Sa, then play
S1
R2M2
G2m3
M1P4
PP5
D1m6
N3M7
S'8
Open in the 3D sphere →

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.

DegreeSwaraInterval
1Sunison (1)
2R2major second (M2)
3G2minor third (m3)
4M1perfect fourth (P4)
5Pperfect fifth (P5)
6D1minor sixth (m6)
7N3major 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 Gm minorhome
  • V D majordominant
  • vii° F#dim diminisheddominant
  • iv Cm minorpredominant
  • ii° Adim diminishedpredominant
  • VI Eb majorcolour
  • III+ Bbaug augmentedcolour

Learn the method in how to harmonize a raga.

Janya ragas of Keeravani

These child ragas are born from Keeravani by dropping notes or bending the path: Kalyana Vasantham, Chandrakauns. 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.

Kalyana Vasanthamकल्याणवसन्तम्

5 up · 7 downaudava-sampurnaglide

A pentatonic climb and the full Keeravani fall.

Keeps all seven notes of Keeravani; only the path differs.

arohana ↗avarohana ↘SG2M1D1N3S'S'N3D1PM1G2R2S

Chandrakaunsचन्द्रकौंस

5 up · 5 downaudava-audavaglide

Also called Kadaram; Hindolam with the Ni raised to N3.

Drops R2 and P from Keeravani. Hindustani cousin: Chandrakauns.

arohana ↗avarohana ↘SG2M1D1N3S'S'N3D1M1G2S

Music to learn in Keeravani

  • Kaligiyunte · Tyagaraja
  • Bhavaye Sarasanabham · Swati Tirunal
  • Innamum Sandehappadalamo · Gopalakrishna Bharati

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.

Open Keeravani in the 3D sphere →

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), Bhavaye Sarasanabham (Swati Tirunal), Innamum Sandehappadalamo (Gopalakrishna Bharati).

What are the janya ragas of Keeravani?

Its well-known child ragas include Kalyana Vasantham, Chandrakauns.