Nattakurinji

Nattakurinji
ArohanamS R₂ G₃ M₁ N₂ D₂ N₂ P D₂ N₂ 
Avarohanam N₂ D₂ M₁ G₃ M₁ P G₃ R₂ S

Nattakurinji is a raga (musical scale) in Carnatic music. It is an audava janya raga of 28th Melakarta raga Harikambhoji. This raga is good to sing in evenings.[1] It is used rarely in Hindustani, but is very popular in Carnatic music.[1][2][3] The raaga Kurinji belongs to the Melakarta family Shankarabharanam but is sung relatively rarely. [4]

Structure and Lakshana

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Nattakurinji is an asymmetric rāgam. It is said to have three types of ascending (arohana) and descending scales (avarohana).[2] In practice all 3 types of arohana and avarohana, as well as other usages (prayogas) are found. Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure (one ascending and descending scale) is as follows:[1]

The notes used in this scale are shadjam, chathusruthi rishabham, antara gandhara, chathusruthi dhaivatham and kaisiki nishadham in ascending scale, with rishabham excluded in descending scale. For the details of the notations and terms, see swaras in Carnatic music. It is also classified as a "rakti" raga (a raga of high melodic content).

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There are many compositions set to Nattakurinji rāgam. Some of the popular compositions are:

Film songs

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Song Language Film Composer Singer
Kavalaiyai Theerpathu Naattiya Kalaiye Tamil Sivakavi Papanasam Sivan M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Anbe Amudhey Uthama Puthiran G. Ramanathan T. M. Soundararajan,P. Susheela
Kaniya Kaniya Mazhalai Pesum Mannathi Mannan Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
Maaman Kurai Siraichalai Ilaiyaraaja K. S. Chithra,Gangai Amaran
Kannamoochi yenada

(Sahana touches also)

Kandukondain Kandukondain A. R. Rahman K. S. Chithra,K. J. Yesudas
Poongatru Veesum Mr. Madras Vidyasagar S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Theme Thavamai Thavamirundhu Sabesh–Murali Sharreth,Madhu Balakrishnan,Sudha Ragunathan
Udayam Vaalkkannezhuthi Malayalam Njangal Santhushtaranu
Thiranurayum Anandabhadram
Vaikasi thingalo

The song Kannamoochi yenada in the movie Kandukondain Kandukondain is not wholly composed in this ragam. Only the initial portion of the song is composed in Nattakurinji while the latter half is composed in Sahana.[5]

Notes

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  1. ^ Alternate notations:
    • Hindustani: S R G M  D  P D  
    • Western: C D E F B A B G A B C
  2. ^ Alternate notations:
    • Hindustani:   D M G R S
    • Western: C B A F E D C

References

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  1. ^ a b c Ragas in Carnatic music by Dr. S. Bhagyalekshmy, Pub. 1990, CBH Publications
  2. ^ a b Raganidhi by P. Subba Rao, Pub. 1964, The Music Academy of Madras
  3. ^ "Raga Today - Nattakurinji". Archived from the original on 24 April 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  4. ^ "Kurinji Raga - Atyutka Kurinji". 27 March 2021.
  5. ^ Lesser Known Gruhabhedams - Season 1 #2: Kannamoochi Enada | Nattakurinji | Raganalysis, retrieved 18 June 2021