Salalitha Ganasudharasapanam…..

• SreeRagam – 8

The evergreen melody by Balamurali Krishna from the old classic film Naratanasala is a favourite of music lovers. The soothing voice of Balamurali exuding the grace of Kalyani raga in this song is incredible.

Kalyani is one of the most popular ragas in Carnatic classical music. It is known as Yaman in Hindustani classical music.

Also Read : Understanding Music

Acclaimed as the queen of ragas, Kalyani raga is one of the most versatile, and graceful ragas. Named after the Goddess Saraswathi, this raga means ‘auspicious”.

Kalyani is one of the five majestic ragas of Carnatic music; others being Sankarabharanam, Todi, Kambhoji and Bhairavi.

Mood

This raga evokes feelings of Sringara, Bhakti, and Vatsalya. It creates an ambience of positivity, happiness around. The majestic raga dispels fear. Since ages this raga has enamoured the musicians with the rich tapestry of enchanting swaras.

Also Read : Raga: the soul of Indian Classical music

It brightens the mood and elevates our spirit. It is very beneficial for pregnant women. Music therapists claim that the prenatal stimulation through Kalyani raga helps the mother to connect with the foetus. As auditory system develops in the initial stages of the foetus, it is the source through which the mother can create a positive impetus on the unborn baby with music. Kalyani raga reduces stress of the expectant mother and neonatal tension as well. Recent scientific studies to ascertain the influence of music on various ailments and on pregnant women have confirmed the impact of music on human body, mind and spirit.

Structure

Murchana (Arohana, Avarohana)

S R2 G2 M2 P D2 N2

S N2 D2 P M2 G2 R2 S

Kalyani raga is one of the first ragas taught to the students of Carnatic classical music. It has an expansive scope of elaboration in a concert and it is preferred as a main raga of rendition by musicians.

Also Read : How ragas were classified

Kalyani raga comprises of all seven notes. Hence it is known as a sampoorna raga. It is a pratimadhyama raga; ragas are broadly classified by identification of ma, suddamadhyamam or pratimadhyamam. The perfect symmetrical notes in the raga give scope for the creation of delightful tunes and compositions.

As we have understood in the earlier series, there are 72 Melakarta ragas from which a myriad janya ragas or offspring ragas evolve. Kalyani is the 65 Melakarta raga, in the name of MechaKalyani. It has 122 janya ragas as mentioned in the book Ragapravaham by D K Pattamal and M Dandapani. The most popular among these janya ragas are Mohana Kalyani, Hamir Kalyani, Yamuna Kalyani, Sunadavinodini, Bhoop Kalyani.

Also Read : Raga and Rasa

It is interesting to know that the Suddhamadhyama equivalent of Kaylani raga is Sankarabharanam raga. These two ragas are considered as Shiva and Sakthi. Sankarabharanam is attributed to Siva and Kalyani, eulogised with the name of the Goddess herself is the most desired raga of the Devi.

Carnatic classical music is enriched by a treasure of compositions in Kalyani raga.

Compositions

Among the gems of compositions of Tyagaja, ‘Nidhi Chala Sukhama, Ramuni Sannidhiseva Sukhama” in Kalyani raga is a popular composition or kriti wherein he ponders, “O mind! Tell me the truth, does wealth give comfort or service to lord Rama would give real pleasure…”

Also Read : Ragas for Relief

“Sundari Ni Divya Swarupamu” is another Tyagarajakriti in praise of Goddess Tripura Sundari.

Muthuswamy Deekshitar, one of the legendary vaggeyakaras of the Musical Trinity and also a contemporary of Tyagaraja, composed invaluable kritis in Kalyni raga in praise of Goddess.

One of the most revered compositions, Kamlamba Navavarna Kritisare considered as pious as reciting sacred hymns of vedas. The kritis depict the ardent devotion of Deekshitar for the Goddess and also the immense knowledge he possesses about several aspects like astronomy, astrology and vedic rituals.

Syama Sastry, a contemporary of Deekshitar and Tyagaraja rendered compositions in praise of Goddess Kamakshi. “Himadrisute Pahimam”, ‘Talli Ninnu Nera’ are the kritis in Kalyani raga which encompass the fervent devotion and lyrical beauty of the swaras.

Also Read : Nada Yoga – Therapeutic power of music

M Bala Murali Krishna, the musical stalwart of Carnatic Classical music had enoromous passion for Kalyani raga. He worshipped and pursued the raga as a Goddess and was blessed with the divine vision of the Kalyani raga Devatha or Goddess.

The majestic gaiety of Kalyani raga allures musicians of film music directors to compose enchanting tunes like

Telugu

Padanavani Kalyanigaa (MeghaSandesam)

Sakhiya Vivarimpave (Nartanasala)

Chelikadu Ninnerammanipiluva (Kula Gotralu)

Kudiyedamaite (Devadasu)

It is amazing to know the musical prowess of old gold composers like Senior Samudrala. Kalyani raga known for its vibrancy and positivity could be employed to depict pathos like Kudiyeadamaite in the vintage classic Telugu film Devadasu

Manasa trullipadake (Srivariki Premalekha)

Dorakuna Ituvantiseva (Sankarabharanam)

Hindi

Jab Deep jaleaana (Chitchor)

Abhi Na Jao Chodkar (Hum Dono)

Chandansabadan (Saraswathi Chandra)

Asu Bharihai ye jivankirahe (Parvarish)

Saranga teri yaadmein (Saranga)

Sriramachandra krupala (Non filmy, devotional song)