Melakarta 23 · Veda chakra · M1 ★ concert raga
Gourimanohari
गौरीमनोहरी
Gourimanohari is the 23rd melakarta raga. Its scale is S R2 G2 M1 P D2 N3, the Western Melodic minor (ascending). It carries a mood of Shringara: beauty and longing; the air breathes.
Hear it from musicians
Signature phrases for Gourimanohari, 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, Gourimanohari is built from a major second, a minor third, a perfect fourth, a perfect fifth, a major sixth, a major seventh. In Carnatic terms that is S R2 G2 M1 P D2 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 | D2 | major sixth (M6) |
| 7 | N3 | major seventh (M7) |
How Gourimanohari harmonizes
Stack thirds on each note of Gourimanohari 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
- ii Am minorpredominant
- IV C majorpredominant
- vi° Edim diminishedcolour
- III+ Bbaug augmentedcolour
Learn the method in how to harmonize a raga.
Janya ragas of Gourimanohari
These child ragas are born from Gourimanohari by dropping notes or bending the path: Velavali. 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.
Velavaliवेलावली
Rare and archaic; the climb skips Ri and Pa, the fall sings all seven.
Keeps all seven notes of Gourimanohari; only the path differs.
Music to learn in Gourimanohari
- Guru Leka Etuvanti · Tyagaraja
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.
- Guruleka Etuvanti · Tyagaraja · Khanda chapu
- Gaurimano Haridambara · Melaragamalika · Maha Vaidyanatha Iyer · Adi tala
In its janya ragas
- Enna Pizhaippu · Marimutha Pillai · Adi tala · Velavali
Questions about Gourimanohari
What is the Gourimanohari raga?
Gourimanohari is melakarta number 23 in the 72-raga system of Carnatic music. Its scale is S R2 G2 M1 P D2 N3, which is the Western Melodic minor (ascending).
Is Gourimanohari the same as the Western Melodic minor (ascending)?
Yes. Gourimanohari has exactly the same seven notes as the Melodic minor (ascending), so the two are the same scale under different names.
What are famous compositions in Gourimanohari?
Well-known pieces include Guru Leka Etuvanti (Tyagaraja).
What are the janya ragas of Gourimanohari?
Its well-known child ragas include Velavali.