Melakarta 26 · Bana chakra · M1 ★ concert raga
Charukesi
चारुकेशी
Charukesi is the 26th melakarta raga. Its scale is S R2 G3 M1 P D1 N2 — the Western Mixolydian b6 (melodic major). It carries a mood of Karuna: pathos; the air falls like slow rain.
Hear it from musicians
Signature phrases for Charukesi, 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, Charukesi is built from a major second, a major third, a perfect fourth, a perfect fifth, a minor sixth, a minor seventh. In Carnatic terms that is S R2 G3 M1 P D1 N2; in Hindustani sargam, S R G m P d n.
| Degree | Swara | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | S | unison (1) |
| 2 | R2 | major second (M2) |
| 3 | G3 | major third (M3) |
| 4 | M1 | perfect fourth (P4) |
| 5 | P | perfect fifth (P5) |
| 6 | D1 | minor sixth (m6) |
| 7 | N2 | minor seventh (m7) |
How Charukesi harmonizes
Stack thirds on each note of Charukesi and these chords appear. Home is the chord on Sa; the chord on Pa is the dominant that pulls back to it.
- I C majorhome
- v Gm minordominant
- VII Bb majordominant
- iv Fm minorpredominant
- ii° Ddim diminishedpredominant
- iii° Edim diminishedcolour
- VI+ Abaug augmentedcolour
Learn the method in how to harmonize a raga.
Music to learn in Charukesi
- Aadamodi Galade — Tyagaraja
- Krupa Juchutaku — Tyagaraja
Questions about Charukesi
What is the Charukesi raga?
Charukesi is melakarta number 26 in the 72-raga system of Carnatic music. Its scale is S R2 G3 M1 P D1 N2, which is the Western Mixolydian b6 (melodic major).
Is Charukesi the same as the Western Mixolydian b6 (melodic major)?
Yes. Charukesi has exactly the same seven notes as the Mixolydian b6 (melodic major), so the two are the same scale under different names.
What are famous compositions in Charukesi?
Well-known pieces include Aadamodi Galade (Tyagaraja), Krupa Juchutaku (Tyagaraja).
What are the janya ragas of Charukesi?
Charukesi is heard mainly as a parent scale; much Carnatic repertoire lives in the janya ragas of other melakartas.