Nathaniel School of MusicThe Melakarta Sphere

Melakarta 57 · Disi chakra · M2 ★ concert raga

Simhendramadhyamam

सिंहेन्द्रमध्यमम्

Simhendramadhyamam is the 57th melakarta raga. Its scale is S R2 G2 M2 P D1 N3 — the Western Hungarian minor (double harmonic minor). It carries a mood of Veera: valour; sparks climb.

SRgM'PdN
Hear Simhendramadhyamamchoose your Sa, then play
S1
R2M2
G2m3
M2A4
PP5
D1m6
N3M7
S'8
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Hear it from musicians

Signature phrases for Simhendramadhyamam, 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, Simhendramadhyamam is built from a major second, a minor third, a augmented fourth, a perfect fifth, a minor sixth, a major seventh. In Carnatic terms that is S R2 G2 M2 P D1 N3; in Hindustani sargam, S R g M' P d N.

DegreeSwaraInterval
1Sunison (1)
2R2major second (M2)
3G2minor third (m3)
4M2augmented fourth (A4)
5Pperfect fifth (P5)
6D1minor sixth (m6)
7N3major seventh (M7)

How Simhendramadhyamam harmonizes

Stack thirds on each note of Simhendramadhyamam 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 G majordominant
  • vii Bm minordominant
  • II♭5 D(b5) major flat fivepredominant
  • IV· F#(cluster) clusterpredominant
  • VI Ab majorcolour
  • III+ Ebaug augmentedcolour

Learn the method in how to harmonize a raga.

Music to learn in Simhendramadhyamam

  • Needu CharanamuleTyagaraja
  • Ninne NammitiMysore Vasudevachar
  • PamarajanapaliniMuthuswami Dikshitar
  • Rama Rama Guna SeemaSwati Tirunal

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Questions about Simhendramadhyamam

What is the Simhendramadhyamam raga?

Simhendramadhyamam is melakarta number 57 in the 72-raga system of Carnatic music. Its scale is S R2 G2 M2 P D1 N3, which is the Western Hungarian minor (double harmonic minor).

Is Simhendramadhyamam the same as the Western Hungarian minor (double harmonic minor)?

Yes. Simhendramadhyamam has exactly the same seven notes as the Hungarian minor (double harmonic minor), so the two are the same scale under different names.

What are famous compositions in Simhendramadhyamam?

Well-known pieces include Needu Charanamule (Tyagaraja), Ninne Nammiti (Mysore Vasudevachar), Pamarajanapalini (Muthuswami Dikshitar), Rama Rama Guna Seema (Swati Tirunal).

What are the janya ragas of Simhendramadhyamam?

Simhendramadhyamam is heard mainly as a parent scale; much Carnatic repertoire lives in the janya ragas of other melakartas.