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 G majorhome
- v Dm minordominant
- VII F majordominant
- iv Cm minorpredominant
- ii° Adim diminishedpredominant
- iii° Bdim diminishedcolour
- VI+ Ebaug augmentedcolour
Learn the method in how to harmonize a raga.
Janya ragas of Charukesi
These child ragas are born from Charukesi by dropping notes or bending the path: Maravi. 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.
Maraviमारवि
Rare; known through songs of Purandara Dasa.
Keeps all seven notes of Charukesi; only the path differs.
Music to learn in Charukesi
- Aadamodi Galade · Tyagaraja
- Krupaya Palaya · Swati Tirunal
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.
- Adamodi Galade · Tyagaraja · Adi tala
- Krupaya Palaya · Swati Tirunal · Misra chapu
- Charu Ke Shivalingam · Melaragamalika · Maha Vaidyanatha Iyer · Adi tala
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), Krupaya Palaya (Swati Tirunal).
What are the janya ragas of Charukesi?
Its well-known child ragas include Maravi.