Melakarta 51 · Brahma chakra · M2 ★ concert raga
Kamavardhini
कामवर्धिनी
Kamavardhini is the 51st melakarta raga. Its scale is S R1 G3 M2 P D1 N3. It carries a mood of Karuna: pathos; the air falls like slow rain.
Hear it from musicians
Signature phrases for Kamavardhini, 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, Kamavardhini is built from a minor second, a major third, a augmented fourth, a perfect fifth, a minor sixth, a major seventh. In Carnatic terms that is S R1 G3 M2 P D1 N3; in Hindustani sargam, S r G M' P d N (the Poorvi thaat).
| Degree | Swara | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | S | unison (1) |
| 2 | R1 | minor second (m2) |
| 3 | G3 | major third (M3) |
| 4 | M2 | augmented fourth (A4) |
| 5 | P | perfect fifth (P5) |
| 6 | D1 | minor sixth (m6) |
| 7 | N3 | major seventh (M7) |
How Kamavardhini harmonizes
Stack thirds on each note of Kamavardhini 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
- VIIsus2 Bsus2 suspended seconddominant
- V♭5 G(b5) major flat fivedominant
- IIsus4 Dbsus4 suspended fourthpredominant
- IV· F#(cluster) clusterpredominant
- iii Em minorcolour
- VI+ Abaug augmentedcolour
Learn the method in how to harmonize a raga.
Janya ragas of Kamavardhini
These child ragas are born from Kamavardhini by dropping notes or bending the path: Mandari. 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.
Mandariमन्दारी
Pantuvarali with the dhaivata taken out; the melancholy goes with it.
Drops D1 from Kamavardhini.
Music to learn in Kamavardhini
- Raghuvara Nannu — Tyagaraja
Questions about Kamavardhini
What is the Kamavardhini raga?
Kamavardhini is melakarta number 51 in the 72-raga system of Carnatic music. Its scale is S R1 G3 M2 P D1 N3.
What are famous compositions in Kamavardhini?
Well-known pieces include Raghuvara Nannu (Tyagaraja).
What are the janya ragas of Kamavardhini?
Its well-known child ragas include Mandari.