Melakarta 65 · Rudra chakra · M2 ★ concert raga
Mechakalyani
मेचकल्याणी
Mechakalyani is the 65th melakarta raga. Its scale is S R2 G3 M2 P D2 N3 — the Western Lydian mode. It carries a mood of Shringara: beauty and longing; the air breathes.
Hear it from musicians
Signature phrases for Mechakalyani, 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, Mechakalyani is built from a major second, a major third, a augmented fourth, a perfect fifth, a major sixth, a major seventh. In Carnatic terms that is S R2 G3 M2 P D2 N3; in Hindustani sargam, S R G M' P D N (the Kalyan thaat).
| Degree | Swara | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | S | unison (1) |
| 2 | R2 | major 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 Mechakalyani harmonizes
Stack thirds on each note of Mechakalyani 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
- V G majordominant
- vii Bm minordominant
- II D majorpredominant
- iv° F#dim diminishedpredominant
- iii Em minorcolour
- vi Am minorcolour
Learn the method in how to harmonize a raga.
Janya ragas of Mechakalyani
These child ragas are born from Mechakalyani by dropping notes or bending the path: Mohanakalyani, Saranga. 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.
Mohanakalyaniमोहनकल्याणी
Mohanam up, Kalyani down; two ragas in one breath.
Keeps all seven notes of Mechakalyani; only the path differs.
Sarangaसारङ्ग
Kalyani’s brilliant cousin; the descent borrows the plain Ma.
Keeps all seven notes of Mechakalyani; only the path differs.
Music to learn in Mechakalyani
- Nidhi Chala Sukhama — Tyagaraja
- Kamalambam Bhaja Re — Muthuswami Dikshitar
- Bhajare Re Chitta — Muthuswami Dikshitar
- Amma Ravamma — Tyagaraja
Questions about Mechakalyani
What is the Mechakalyani raga?
Mechakalyani is melakarta number 65 in the 72-raga system of Carnatic music. Its scale is S R2 G3 M2 P D2 N3, which is the Western Lydian mode.
Is Mechakalyani the same as the Western Lydian mode?
Yes. Mechakalyani has exactly the same seven notes as the Lydian mode, so the two are the same scale under different names.
What are famous compositions in Mechakalyani?
Well-known pieces include Nidhi Chala Sukhama (Tyagaraja), Kamalambam Bhaja Re (Muthuswami Dikshitar), Bhajare Re Chitta (Muthuswami Dikshitar), Amma Ravamma (Tyagaraja).
What are the janya ragas of Mechakalyani?
Its well-known child ragas include Mohanakalyani, Saranga.