Melakarta 29 · Bana chakra · M1 ★ concert raga
Dheerasankarabharanam
धीरशङ्कराभरणम्
Dheerasankarabharanam is the 29th melakarta raga. Its scale is S R2 G3 M1 P D2 N3 — the Western Major scale (Ionian). It carries a mood of Veera: valour; sparks climb.
Hear it from musicians
Signature phrases for Dheerasankarabharanam, 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, Dheerasankarabharanam is built from a major second, a major third, a perfect fourth, a perfect fifth, a major sixth, a major seventh. In Carnatic terms that is S R2 G3 M1 P D2 N3; in Hindustani sargam, S R G m P D N (the Bilawal thaat).
| 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 | D2 | major sixth (M6) |
| 7 | N3 | major seventh (M7) |
How Dheerasankarabharanam harmonizes
Stack thirds on each note of Dheerasankarabharanam 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
- ii Dm minorpredominant
- IV F majorpredominant
- iii Em minorcolour
- vi Am minorcolour
Learn the method in how to harmonize a raga.
Janya ragas of Dheerasankarabharanam
These child ragas are born from Dheerasankarabharanam by dropping notes or bending the path: Hamsadhwani, Bilahari, Shuddha Saveri, Kathanakuthuhalam, Atana, Arabhi, Poornachandrika, Suddha Saveri, Begada. 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.
Hamsadhwaniहंसध्वनि
The swan call; every concert begins here with Vatapi.
Drops M1 and D2 from Dheerasankarabharanam. Hindustani cousin: Hamsadhwani, adopted north.
Bilahariबिलहरि
Climbs like Mohanam, descends with all seven; morning brightness.
Keeps all seven notes of Dheerasankarabharanam; only the path differs.
Shuddha Saveriशुद्धसावेरि
Pentatonic with no Ga, no Ni; open sky.
Drops G3 and N3 from Dheerasankarabharanam. Hindustani cousin: Durga.
Kathanakuthuhalamकथनकुतूहलम्
A gleeful leap up, all seven down; Raghuvamsha Sudha lives here.
Keeps all seven notes of Dheerasankarabharanam; only the path differs.
Atanaअठाणा
Heroic and bold; the Ga is never sung plain, always shaken up from Ri.
Keeps all seven notes of Dheerasankarabharanam; only the path differs. Hindustani cousin: Adana (the name only; the scale is a different raga).
Arabhiआरभि
Bright and forthright going up, full and rounded coming down.
Keeps all seven notes of Dheerasankarabharanam; only the path differs.
Poornachandrikaपूर्णचन्द्रिका
A full moon of a raga; brisk, festive, forever turning at Ma.
Keeps all seven notes of Dheerasankarabharanam; only the path differs.
Suddha Saveriशुद्धसावेरी
Five notes, open as a courtyard; nothing to hide behind.
Drops G3 and N3 from Dheerasankarabharanam.
Begadaबेगडा
Genial and courtly; the vakra ascent is its signature.
Keeps all seven notes of Dheerasankarabharanam; only the path differs.
Music to learn in Dheerasankarabharanam
- Akshaya Linga Vibho — Muthuswami Dikshitar
- Enduku Peddala — Tyagaraja
- Swararaga Sudharasa — Tyagaraja
- Manasu Swadhina — Tyagaraja
Questions about Dheerasankarabharanam
What is the Dheerasankarabharanam raga?
Dheerasankarabharanam is melakarta number 29 in the 72-raga system of Carnatic music. Its scale is S R2 G3 M1 P D2 N3, which is the Western Major scale (Ionian).
Is Dheerasankarabharanam the same as the Western Major scale (Ionian)?
Yes. Dheerasankarabharanam has exactly the same seven notes as the Major scale (Ionian), so the two are the same scale under different names.
What are famous compositions in Dheerasankarabharanam?
Well-known pieces include Akshaya Linga Vibho (Muthuswami Dikshitar), Enduku Peddala (Tyagaraja), Swararaga Sudharasa (Tyagaraja), Manasu Swadhina (Tyagaraja).
What are the janya ragas of Dheerasankarabharanam?
Its well-known child ragas include Hamsadhwani, Bilahari, Shuddha Saveri, Kathanakuthuhalam, Atana, Arabhi, Poornachandrika, Suddha Saveri, Begada.