Melakarta 59 · Disi chakra · M2 ★ concert raga
Dharmavati
धर्मवती
Dharmavati is the 59th melakarta raga. Its scale is S R2 G2 M2 P D2 N3. It carries a mood of Adbhuta: wonder; the air turns on itself.
Hear it from musicians
Signature phrases for Dharmavati, 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, Dharmavati is built from a major second, a minor third, a augmented fourth, a perfect fifth, a major sixth, a major seventh. In Carnatic terms that is S R2 G2 M2 P D2 N3; 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 | D2 | major sixth (M6) |
| 7 | N3 | major seventh (M7) |
How Dharmavati harmonizes
Stack thirds on each note of Dharmavati 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 D majorpredominant
- iv° F#dim diminishedpredominant
- vi° Adim diminishedcolour
- III+ Ebaug augmentedcolour
Learn the method in how to harmonize a raga.
Music to learn in Dharmavati
Dharmavati 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 Dharmavati
What is the Dharmavati raga?
Dharmavati is melakarta number 59 in the 72-raga system of Carnatic music. Its scale is S R2 G2 M2 P D2 N3.
What are the janya ragas of Dharmavati?
Dharmavati is heard mainly as a parent scale; much Carnatic repertoire lives in the janya ragas of other melakartas.