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 G majorhome
- V D majordominant
- vii F#m minordominant
- II A majorpredominant
- iv° C#dim diminishedpredominant
- iii Bm minorcolour
- vi Em 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, Hamir Kalyani, Saranga, Yamuna Kalyani, Sunadavinodini. 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.
Hamir Kalyaniहमीरकल्याणी
Bhashanga: the fall sounds both Mas, M1 borrowed from outside Kalyani.
Keeps all seven notes of Mechakalyani. Borrows M1 from outside Mechakalyani: a bhashanga raga. Hindustani cousin: Kedar.
Sarangaसारङ्ग
Kalyani's brilliant cousin; the descent borrows the plain Ma.
Keeps all seven notes of Mechakalyani. Borrows M1 from outside Mechakalyani: a bhashanga raga.
Yamuna Kalyaniयमुनाकल्याणी
No Ni either way; the sharp Ma is always approached from Pa.
Drops N3 from Mechakalyani.
Sunadavinodiniसुनादविनोदिनी
No Ri and no Pa in either direction.
Drops R2 and P from Mechakalyani. Hindustani cousin: Hindol.
Music to learn in Mechakalyani
- Nidhi Chala Sukhama · Tyagaraja
- Kamalambam Bhaja Re · Muthuswami Dikshitar
- Bhajare Re Chitta · Muthuswami Dikshitar
- Amma Ravamma · Tyagaraja
Notated to play along
Each opens in Stage mode on a real staff, with the sung syllables under the notes. Loop it, change Sa, and play or sing along.
- Nidhi Chala Sukhama · Tyagaraja · Misra chapu
- Himadri Sute Pahimam · Syama Sastri · Rupaka tala
- Aadal Nayagan · Madurai R. Muralidharan · Adi tala
- Vanajakshiro · Ramanathapuram Poochi Srinivasa Iyengar · Adi tala
In its janya ragas
- Arunachala Natham Smarami · Muthuswami Dikshitar · Rupaka tala · Saranga
- Inta Modi Seya · Tiruvottiyur Tyagayyar · Adi tala · Saranga
- Siddhi Vinayakam Seveham · Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavatar · Adi tala · Mohanakalyani
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, Hamir Kalyani, Saranga, Yamuna Kalyani, Sunadavinodini.