Question

What is Janakaraga? Give suitable examples.

Hint:

All 72 Melakarta ragas are artificial root structures designed to organize hundreds of natural Janya ragas that are performed in concerts.

Answer 1

Step 1: Concept
Ragas in Carnatic music are classified into parent scales (Janaka) and derived scales (Janya).


Step 2: Definition of Janakaraga
A Janakaraga (also known as a Melakarta raga or Parent raga) is a primary, root scale. To be classified as a Janakaraga, a scale must fulfill three strict criteria:
1. Sampurna: It must contain all seven swaras ($S, R, G, M, P, D, N$) in both ascent and descent.
2. Krama: The notes must move in a straight, linear, sequential order.
3. Homogeneous: The swara-varieties (Swarasthanas) must remain identical in both the ascent and descent.


Step 3: Melakarta System
There are exactly 72 Janakaragas in the scheme of Melakarta, divided into Suddha Madhyama ragas (1-36) and Prati Madhyama ragas (37-72).


Step 4: Examples
- Mayamalavagoula (15th Melakarta)
- Kharaharapriya (22nd Melakarta)
- Dheerasankarabharanam (29th Melakarta) Final Answer: A Janakaraga is a parent, linear, 7-note scale containing all seven notes in both ascent and descent. Examples include Mayamalavagoula, Kharaharapriya, and Dheerasankarabharanam.