Arabhi

Aarabhi is a ragam (musical scale) in Carnatic music (South Indian classical music). It is a Janya raga (derived scale), whose Melakarta raga (parent scale, also known as janaka) is Shankarabharanam, 29th in the 72 Melakarta raga system.

Aarabhi is a raga that dates back to 7 AD. Originally, it was called as pazhanthakka in Tamil music. Then it was sung in a mixed variation of Devagandhari and Aarabhi (which is sung now). But now these ragas are clearly distinguishable.

Structure and Lakshana

Ascending scale with Shadjam at C

Descending scale with Shadjam at C

Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure (ascending and descending scale) is as follows (see swaras in Carnatic music for details on below notation and terms):

• ārohaṇa : S R2 M1 P D2 S
• avarohaṇa : S N3 D2 P M1 G3 R2 S

Aarabhi raga is an Owdava-sampoorna raga meaning, 5 swaras occur in the arohana (so it is called Owdava) and in avarohana all swaras occur (so sampoorna).

It is a raaga without much gamakas and frequency variations, relying instead on flat notes. The important point is the swara "ga" always comes very close to "ma" so when we sing the phrase "ma ga ri it sounds like "ma ma ri". Likewise the swara "ni" always comes very close to the swara "sa" hence when we sing the phrase "sa ni da" it sounds like "sa sa da".

The closest raga to this one is Devangandhari. There are few things which makes Aarabhi different (though both share the same ascending and descending scale, in terms of basic notation)

1. In Aarabhi the swara "ga" is close to "ma" but in Devagandhari it is not the same.
2. The swara "ri" is not fluctuated in Aaarabhi but it is given "asaivu" in Devagandhari
3. The phrase "pa ma da sa" should not be sung in Aarabhi it is exclusive for Devagandhari
4. Devagandhari is sung with gamakas and vilambita kala prayogas (usages with elongated notes)^[1]
5. Devagandhari is sung with dheerga gandharam (elongated G3)^[1]

Aarabhi raaga is a very energetic and it lends itself to creativity in brigas (fast paced swara usages) more than gamakas.

Popular Compositions

The 3rd of Pancharatna Kritis (five gems of compositions), Sadhinchanae by Saint Thyagaraja is a famous composition set in Aarabhi ragam. Here we can note that Thyagaraja uses phrases like "sa sa da" in the charanam although there are phrases like "sa ni da" also.

Here are some more compositions set to Aarabhi.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Ragas in Carnatic music by Dr. S. Bhagyalekshmy, Pub. 1990, CBH Publications

External links

• Dr. P.Venkatraman's Page - Arabhi Raga Basics
• CAC Newsletter-Comparing Arabhi and Devagandhari
• Compositions at karnatik.com

Not strictly carnatic

• Ilayaraja and Arabhi
• Malayalam Film Songs