Svadhya

Svadhya

Arohanam	S R₁ M₁ P N₂ Ṡ
Avarohanam	Ṡ N₂ D₁ P M₁ R₁ S

Svadhya is a rāgam in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is an audava Shadava rāgam . It is a janya rāgam (derived scale), as it does not have all the seven swaras (musical notes).

It is said to evoke intense self-reflection to the listener and Karuṇa rasa (pathos).

Structure and Lakshana

Svadhya scale with shadjam at C, *D1 (D1 only in avarohanam)

• ārohaṇa : S R₁ M₁ P N₂ Ṡ^[a]
• avarohaṇa : Ṡ N₂ D₁ P M₁ R₁ S^[b]

(notes used in this scale are shuddha rishabham, shuddha madhyamam, panchamam, shuddha dhaivatham, kaisiki nishadham)

Svadhya is considered a janya rāgam of Ratnangi, the 2nd Melakarta rāgam. This Raga was created by composer Rajan Somasundaram.^[1]

Popular compositions

Here are some popular kritis composed in Svadhya.

• Maya- The Reflection of Self by Rajan Somasundaram
• Ashtavakra Gita- Self Realization Musical by Rajan Somasundaram

Related rāgams

This section covers the theoretical and scientific aspect of this rāgam.

Scale similarities

• Revati ragam has similar aurohana but a different avarohana, especially the presence of shuddha dhaivatham makes Svadhya raga a complex one and lends a different colour.^[2]

Notes

1. Alternate notations:
   • Hindustani: S Ṟ M P Ṉ Ṡ
   • Western: C D♭ F G B♭ C
2. Alternate notations:
   • Hindustani: Ṡ Ṉ Ḏ P M Ṟ S
   • Western: C B♭ A♭ G F D♭ C

References

1. "Mankind's oldest hymns!".
2. Raganidhi by P. Subba Rao, Pub. 1964, The Music Academy of Madras