Melakarta 27 · Bana chakra · M1 ★ concert raga
Sarasangi
सरसाङ्गी
Sarasangi is the 27th melakarta raga. Its scale is S R2 G3 M1 P D1 N3 — the Western Harmonic major. It carries a mood of Shringara: beauty and longing; the air breathes.
Hear it from musicians
Signature phrases for Sarasangi, 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, Sarasangi is built from a major second, a major third, a perfect fourth, a perfect fifth, a minor sixth, a major seventh. In Carnatic terms that is S R2 G3 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 | G3 | major third (M3) |
| 4 | M1 | perfect fourth (P4) |
| 5 | P | perfect fifth (P5) |
| 6 | D1 | minor sixth (m6) |
| 7 | N3 | major seventh (M7) |
How Sarasangi harmonizes
Stack thirds on each note of Sarasangi 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 G majordominant
- vii° Bdim diminisheddominant
- iv Fm minorpredominant
- ii° Ddim diminishedpredominant
- iii Em minorcolour
- VI+ Abaug augmentedcolour
Learn the method in how to harmonize a raga.
Janya ragas of Sarasangi
These child ragas are born from Sarasangi by dropping notes or bending the path: Nalinakanti. 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.
Nalinakantiनलिनकान्ति
Crystalline and modern; Ma appears only on the way down.
Drops D1 from Sarasangi.
Music to learn in Sarasangi
- Janani Ninnuvina — Subbaraya Sastri
Questions about Sarasangi
What is the Sarasangi raga?
Sarasangi is melakarta number 27 in the 72-raga system of Carnatic music. Its scale is S R2 G3 M1 P D1 N3, which is the Western Harmonic major.
Is Sarasangi the same as the Western Harmonic major?
Yes. Sarasangi has exactly the same seven notes as the Harmonic major, so the two are the same scale under different names.
What are famous compositions in Sarasangi?
Well-known pieces include Janani Ninnuvina (Subbaraya Sastri).
What are the janya ragas of Sarasangi?
Its well-known child ragas include Nalinakanti.