Melakarta 56 · Disi chakra · M2 ★ concert raga
Shanmukhapriya
षण्मुखप्रिया
Shanmukhapriya is the 56th melakarta raga. Its scale is S R2 G2 M2 P D1 N2. It carries a mood of Veera: valour; sparks climb.
Hear it from musicians
Signature phrases for Shanmukhapriya, 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, Shanmukhapriya is built from a major second, a minor third, a augmented fourth, a perfect fifth, a minor sixth, a minor seventh. In Carnatic terms that is S R2 G2 M2 P D1 N2; in Hindustani sargam, S R g M' P d n.
| Degree | Swara | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | S | unison (1) |
| 2 | R2 | major second (M2) |
| 3 | G2 | minor third (m3) |
| 4 | M2 | augmented fourth (A4) |
| 5 | P | perfect fifth (P5) |
| 6 | D1 | minor sixth (m6) |
| 7 | N2 | minor seventh (m7) |
How Shanmukhapriya harmonizes
Stack thirds on each note of Shanmukhapriya and these chords appear. Home is the chord on Sa; the chord on Pa is the dominant that pulls back to it.
- i Cm minorhome
- v Gm minordominant
- VII+ Bbaug augmenteddominant
- II♭5 D(b5) major flat fivepredominant
- IV· F#(cluster) clusterpredominant
- III Eb majorcolour
- VI Ab majorcolour
Learn the method in how to harmonize a raga.
Music to learn in Shanmukhapriya
- Siddhi Vinayakam — Muthuswami Dikshitar
- Ardhanareeswaram (heard in the family) — Muthuswami Dikshitar
Questions about Shanmukhapriya
What is the Shanmukhapriya raga?
Shanmukhapriya is melakarta number 56 in the 72-raga system of Carnatic music. Its scale is S R2 G2 M2 P D1 N2.
What are famous compositions in Shanmukhapriya?
Well-known pieces include Siddhi Vinayakam (Muthuswami Dikshitar), Ardhanareeswaram (heard in the family) (Muthuswami Dikshitar).
What are the janya ragas of Shanmukhapriya?
Shanmukhapriya is heard mainly as a parent scale; much Carnatic repertoire lives in the janya ragas of other melakartas.