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 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
A pentatonic climb and the full Keeravani fall.
Keeps all seven notes of Keeravani; only the path differs.
Chandrakaunsचन्द्रकौंस
Also called Kadaram; Hindolam with the Ni raised to N3.
Drops R2 and P from Keeravani. Hindustani cousin: Chandrakauns.
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.
- Shiva Natkiravani Vashaga · Maha Vaidyanatha Iyer · Adi tala
- Amba Vani · Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavatar · Adi tala
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.