Melakarta 53 · Brahma chakra · M2 ★ concert raga
Gamanashrama
गमनश्रम
Gamanashrama is the 53rd melakarta raga. Its scale is S R1 G3 M2 P D2 N3. It carries a mood of Adbhuta: wonder; the air turns on itself.
Hear it from musicians
Signature phrases for Gamanashrama, 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, Gamanashrama is built from a minor second, a major third, a augmented fourth, a perfect fifth, a major sixth, a major seventh. In Carnatic terms that is S R1 G3 M2 P D2 N3; in Hindustani sargam, S r G M' P D N (the Marwa 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 | D2 | major sixth (M6) |
| 7 | N3 | major seventh (M7) |
How Gamanashrama harmonizes
Stack thirds on each note of Gamanashrama 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
- iv° F#dim diminishedpredominant
- II· Dbsus4(#5) suspended sharp fivepredominant
- iii Em minorcolour
- vi Am minorcolour
Learn the method in how to harmonize a raga.
Janya ragas of Gamanashrama
These child ragas are born from Gamanashrama by dropping notes or bending the path: Hamsanandi, Purvikalyani. 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.
Hamsanandiहंसनन्दि
No Pa at all; a raga of dusk and longing.
Drops P from Gamanashrama.
Purvikalyaniपूर्विकल्याणि
Stately evening raga; the ascent bends back at Pa every time.
Keeps all seven notes of Gamanashrama; only the path differs.
Music to learn in Gamanashrama
Gamanashrama 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 Gamanashrama
What is the Gamanashrama raga?
Gamanashrama is melakarta number 53 in the 72-raga system of Carnatic music. Its scale is S R1 G3 M2 P D2 N3.
What are the janya ragas of Gamanashrama?
Its well-known child ragas include Hamsanandi, Purvikalyani.