Melakarta 38 · Rishi chakra · M2 · vivadi
Jalarnavam
जलार्णवम्
Jalarnavam is the 38th melakarta raga. Its scale is S R1 G1 M2 P D1 N2.
Hear it from musicians
Signature phrases for Jalarnavam, 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, Jalarnavam is built from a minor second, a diminished third, a augmented fourth, a perfect fifth, a minor sixth, a minor seventh. In Carnatic terms that is S R1 G1 M2 P D1 N2; in Hindustani sargam, S r R M' P d n.
| Degree | Swara | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | S | unison (1) |
| 2 | R1 | minor second (m2) |
| 3 | G1 | diminished third (d3) |
| 4 | M2 | augmented fourth (A4) |
| 5 | P | perfect fifth (P5) |
| 6 | D1 | minor sixth (m6) |
| 7 | N2 | minor seventh (m7) |
How Jalarnavam harmonizes
Stack thirds on each note of Jalarnavam and these chords appear. Home is the chord on Sa; the chord on Pa is the dominant that pulls back to it.
- Isus2 Csus2 suspended secondhome
- v° Gdim diminisheddominant
- vii♯5 Bbm(#5) minor sharp fivedominant
- IIsus4 Dbsus4 suspended fourthpredominant
- IV· F#(cluster) clusterpredominant
- VI♭5 Ab(b5) major flat fivecolour
- III· Ebbsus4(#5) suspended sharp fivecolour
Learn the method in how to harmonize a raga.
Music to learn in Jalarnavam
Jalarnavam is met most often as a parent scale for study and improvisation. Much of its living music flows through janya ragas; a good next step is to sing its scale slowly over a tanpura and explore its phrases in the 3D sphere.
Questions about Jalarnavam
What is the Jalarnavam raga?
Jalarnavam is melakarta number 38 in the 72-raga system of Carnatic music. Its scale is S R1 G1 M2 P D1 N2.
What are the janya ragas of Jalarnavam?
Jalarnavam is heard mainly as a parent scale; much Carnatic repertoire lives in the janya ragas of other melakartas.