Vasantha (raga)
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (July 2020) |
| Arohanam | S G₃ M₁ D₂ N₃ Ṡ |
|---|---|
| Avarohanam | Ṡ N₃ D₂ M₁ G₃ R₁ S |
| Carnatic music |
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| Concepts |
| Compositions |
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Vasantha (pronounced vasantā) is a raga in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is a janya raga of Suryakantam, the 17th Melakarta raga.[1] According to P|Subba Rao, majority opinion is that the raga is derived from Mayamalavagowla, the 15th Melakarta raga.[2]
Vasantha is suitable to be sung in evening and is considered an auspicious raga.[1]
Structure
[edit]Vasantha is an asymmetric scale that does not contain panchamam. It is called a vakra audava-shadava raga, malathiga[1] structure is as follows (see swaras in Carnatic music for details on below notation and terms):
This scale uses the notes shadjam, shuddha rishabham, antara gandharam, shuddha madhyamam, chathusruthi dhaivatham and kakali nishadam.
Popular compositions
[edit]Vasantha has ample scope for alapana. This scale has been used by many composers for compositions in classical music. Here are some popular compositions in Vasantha.
- Ninne kori, a popular varnam by Tecchur Singarachari
- Sitamma Mayamma by Tyagaraja
- Brihadambikayai and Ramachandram Bhavayami by Muthuswami Dikshitar
- Paramapurusha Jagadeesha by Swathi Thirunal
- Malmaruga Shanmukha by Papanasam Sivan
- Natanam Adinar by Gopalakrishna Bharathi'
- Rajeswarim Sambhavaye by Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji
- Thom Thomena and Yoganrusimha Padâmbuja Brunga by Kalyani Varadarajan
- Kodu bega Divyamathi by Purandara dasa
- Palisenna Gopalakrishna By Jagannatha Dasa
- Maadhayai nidhi ennum by Papanasamsivan
- Vade Venkatadri Meeda by Annamaacharya
Film Songs
[edit]| Song | Movie | Composer | Singer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sundari sundari | Aye Auto | Raveendran | M. G. Sreekumar |
| Parama purusha | Swathi Thirunal | M. B. Sreenivasan | K. J. Yesudas |
| Guruvayoor unnikannane | Aanachandam | Jaison Nair | Madhu Balakrishnan |
Related ragas
[edit]This section covers the theoretical and scientific aspect of this raga.
Scale similarities
[edit]- Lalitha is a popular raga that sounds very similar to Vasantha.[1][2] Lalitha uses shuddha rishabham in ārohaṇa also,[2] while the shuddha dhaivatam is used in it, compared to chatusruti dhaivatam in Vasantha.[1]