Question

Explain the terms Arudi and Upanga.

Hint:

To remember: Upanga = Pure (no outside notes allowed). Bhashanga = Hybrid (outside notes allowed). Arudi = The musical "comma" in a long rhythmic sentence.

Answer 1

Step 1: Concept
These two terms describe a critical structural pause point in rhythmic compositions (Arudi) and a specific purity classification of derived scales (Upanga).

Step 2: Explaining Arudi
- Arudi (or Arudhi) refers to a structural point of pause, landing, or rest within a musical composition, most prominently observed in the performance of a Pallavi in Ragam-Tanam-Pallavi (RTP).
- A Pallavi line is split into two halves: the first half (Purvanga) and the second half (Uttaranga). The precise syllable where the first half ends, culminating in a rhythmic pause before the second half begins, is called the Arudi. It usually falls on a major structural beat (like the first beat of the Drutam in Adi Tala).

Step 3: Explaining Upanga
- Upanga refers to a type of janya raga that uses strictly only those notes that belong to its parent Melakarta raga.
- Unlike Bhashanga ragas, an Upanga raga never admits any foreign notes (anya swaras). It maintains the absolute chemical purity of its parent scale's notes.
- Examples: Hamsadhvani (derived from parent 29, Dheerasankarabharanam) and Sriranjani (derived from parent 22, Kharaharapriya) are pure Upanga ragas. Final Answer: Arudi is the restful landing and pause point between the first and second halves of a Pallavi line in rhythm. Upanga is a janya raga that uses only the notes of its parent Melakarta, with no foreign notes.