Question

Explain Janya Ragas and give suitable examples.

Hint:

All janya ragas inherit their primary structural aesthetics from their parent Melakarta, but establish a unique artistic identity of their own through specialized melodic phrasing (sancharas).

Answer 1

Step 1: Concept
In Carnatic music, ragas are categorized into two: parent scales called Janaka Ragas (Melakartas) and derived scales called Janya Ragas.

Step 2: Definition of Janya Ragas
A Janya Raga is a secondary raga that is derived or born from a primary parent Melakarta raga. It is formed by altering, omitting, or rearranging the notes of the parent scale.

Step 3: Classification of Janya Ragas
They are classified based on how they deviate from the parent scale: 1. Varja Ragas: Ragas in which one or more notes are completely omitted from the parent scale. - Example: Hamsadhvani is derived from Dheerasankarabharanam (29th Melakarta) and omits Madhyamam ($M$) and Dhaivatam ($D$), making it pentatonic ($S \ R_2 \ G_3 \ P \ N_3 \ S'$).
2. Vakra Ragas: Ragas where the notes progress in a crooked, non-linear sequence. - Example: Ritigoula (derived from Kharaharapriya).
3. Bhashanga Ragas: Ragas that introduce a foreign note (anya swara) not present in the parent Melakarta. - Example: Bhairavi (uses $D_2$ alongside the parent $D_1$).
4. Upanga Ragas: Ragas that use strictly only the notes of their parent Melakarta without any foreign notes. - Example: Sriranjani. Final Answer: Janya Ragas are secondary ragas derived from the 72 primary Melakarta scales by omitting, rearranging, or adding notes. Classic examples include Hamsadhvani, Saveri, and Sriranjani.