Melakarta 22 · Veda chakra · M1 ★ concert raga
Kharaharapriya
खरहरप्रिया
Kharaharapriya is the 22nd melakarta raga. Its scale is S R2 G2 M1 P D2 N2 — the Western Dorian mode. It carries a mood of Shanta: stillness; the air barely moves.
Hear it from musicians
Signature phrases for Kharaharapriya, 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, Kharaharapriya is built from a major second, a minor third, a perfect fourth, a perfect fifth, a major sixth, a minor seventh. In Carnatic terms that is S R2 G2 M1 P D2 N2; in Hindustani sargam, S R g m P D n (the Kafi thaat).
| 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 | D2 | major sixth (M6) |
| 7 | N2 | minor seventh (m7) |
How Kharaharapriya harmonizes
Stack thirds on each note of Kharaharapriya 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 Gm minordominant
- VII Bb majordominant
- ii Dm minorpredominant
- IV F majorpredominant
- III Eb majorcolour
- vi° Adim diminishedcolour
Learn the method in how to harmonize a raga.
Janya ragas of Kharaharapriya
These child ragas are born from Kharaharapriya by dropping notes or bending the path: Madhyamavati, Abhogi, Sriranjani, Sri, Shivaranjani, Abheri, Huseni, Andolika, Mukhari, Ritigowla, Kanada, Suddha Dhanyasi, Darbar, Kapi. 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.
Madhyamavatiमध्यमावती
The auspicious close; concerts end in its calm.
Drops G2 and D2 from Kharaharapriya. Hindustani cousin: Madhumad Sarang.
Abhogiआभोगि
Pentatonic without Pa or Ni; soft inward light.
Drops P and N2 from Kharaharapriya. Hindustani cousin: Abhogi, adopted north.
Sriranjaniश्रीरञ्जनी
Six swaras, Pa left out; bright and quick to smile.
Drops P from Kharaharapriya.
Sriश्री
A vakra descent that circles before it lands; ancient and grave.
Keeps all seven notes of Kharaharapriya; only the path differs. Hindustani cousin: no equivalent; Hindustani Shree is a different raga.
Shivaranjaniशिवरञ्जनी
Mohanam with a shadowed third; moonlit ache.
Drops M1 and N2 from Kharaharapriya. Hindustani cousin: Shivranjani.
Abheriआभेरी
Warm and pleading; the concert form, which older schools sang with D1 instead.
Keeps all seven notes of Kharaharapriya; only the path differs. Hindustani cousin: Bhimpalasi.
Huseniहुसेनी
Gentle and folk-tinged; the zigzag Ni-Dha-Ni before the upper Sa is the raga.
Keeps all seven notes of Kharaharapriya; only the path differs.
Andolikaआन्दोलिका
A swinging pentatonic; no gandhara, no dhaivata, bright and unhurried.
Drops G2 and D2 from Kharaharapriya.
Mukhariमुखारी
The raga of lament; the descent sinks through D1.
Keeps all seven notes of Kharaharapriya; only the path differs.
Ritigowlaरीतिगौळ
All curves, no straight lines; the phrases loop back on themselves.
Keeps all seven notes of Kharaharapriya; only the path differs.
Kanadaकानडा
Northern in blood, Carnatic in dress; the Ga-Ma turn is everything.
Keeps all seven notes of Kharaharapriya; only the path differs.
Suddha Dhanyasiशुद्धधन्यासी
Hindolam with a Pa; steady, meditative, unhurried.
Drops R2 and D2 from Kharaharapriya.
Darbarदरबार
Courtly and grand; the Ga hides until the descent bends back to it.
Keeps all seven notes of Kharaharapriya; only the path differs.
Kapiकापी
Two Nis and a borrowed brightness; the raga of bhajans.
Keeps all seven notes of Kharaharapriya; only the path differs.
Music to learn in Kharaharapriya
- Chakkani Raja Margamu — Tyagaraja · the most elaborate kriti in the raga
- Rama Nee Samanamevaru — Tyagaraja
- Pakkala Nilabadi — Tyagaraja
- Mitri Bhagyame — Tyagaraja
Questions about Kharaharapriya
What is the Kharaharapriya raga?
Kharaharapriya is melakarta number 22 in the 72-raga system of Carnatic music. Its scale is S R2 G2 M1 P D2 N2, which is the Western Dorian mode.
Is Kharaharapriya the same as the Western Dorian mode?
Yes. Kharaharapriya has exactly the same seven notes as the Dorian mode, so the two are the same scale under different names.
What are famous compositions in Kharaharapriya?
Well-known pieces include Chakkani Raja Margamu (Tyagaraja), Rama Nee Samanamevaru (Tyagaraja), Pakkala Nilabadi (Tyagaraja), Mitri Bhagyame (Tyagaraja).
What are the janya ragas of Kharaharapriya?
Its well-known child ragas include Madhyamavati, Abhogi, Sriranjani, Sri, Shivaranjani, Abheri, Huseni, Andolika, Mukhari, Ritigowla, Kanada, Suddha Dhanyasi, Darbar, Kapi.