school Decoding Raga Lakshanas through Scale Signatures
Every raga in the Carnatic pantheon is defined by its Arohanam (ascending scale) and Avarohanam (descending scale), along with subtle prayogas (characteristic phrases) and gamakas (oscillations).
Categories of Raga Structures:
Categories of Raga Structures:
- Sampurna - Sampurna (7 - 7): All 7 notes ascending and descending (e.g., Shankarabharanam).
- Audava - Audava (5 - 5): Five notes in ascent and descent (e.g., Mohanam: S R2 G3 P D2 S / S D2 P G3 R2 S).
- Shadava - Sampurna (6 - 7): Six notes ascending, seven descending (e.g., Kambhoji).
- Vakra Ragas: Scales with non-linear or zig-zag swara progressions (e.g., Sahana: S R2 G3 M1 P M1 D2 N2 S / S N2 S D2 P M1 G3 M1 R2 G3 R2 S).
- Bhashanga Ragas: Ragas that introduce an external swara (Anya Swara) not found in their parent Melakartha (e.g., Bilahari with Kaisiki Nishadam, Bhairavi with Chatusruti Dhaivatam).