Hamsadhvani

Hamsadhvani
Thaat Bilaval
Type Audava
Time of day Early night, 9–12[1]
Arohana S R G P N Ṡ[1]
Avarohana Ṡ N P G R S[1]
Pakad G P N - Ṡ N P G
Vadi S
Samavadi P
Synonym
  • Hansadhvani[1]
  • Hans Dhwani
Similar Shankara

Hamsadhvani (meaning "the cry of the swan"[1]) also spelled as Hansadhwani, is a rāga in Carnatic music (musical scale of Carnatic tradition of Indian classical music). It is an audava rāgam (or owdava rāga, meaning pentatonic scale). It is a janya rāga of the Melakartha raga, Dheerasankarabharanam (29th) but according to Hamsadhvani's prayoga or the way it is sung it is said to be the janya of Kalyani (65th).

Hamsadhvani is also extensively used in Hindustani music and said to be borrowed into it from Carnatic music.[2] It was created by the Carnatic composer Ramaswami Dikshitar (1735–1817)[3], father of Muthuswami Dikshitar (one of the musical trinity of Carnatic music), and brought into Hindustani music by Aman Ali Khan of the Bhendibazaar gharana. It has become popular due to Amir Khan.

Structure and Lakshana

Hamsadhvani scale with shadjam at C

Hamsadhvani does not contain madhyamam or dhaivatam. It is a pentatonic scale (audava-audava ragam[2][4] in Carnatic music classification – audava meaning 'of 5'). Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure (ascending and descending scale) is as follows (see swaras in Carnatic music for details on below notation and terms):

Hamsadhwani

The notes used in this scale are shadjam, chatushruti rishabham, antara gandharam, panchamam and kakali nishadam. In Hindustani music, it is associated with Bilaval thaat (equivalent of Shankarabharanam).

Compositions

Hamsadhvani rāgam lends itself for elaboration and exploration and has many compositions in both classical music and film music. It is usually sung at the beginning of a performance.[2] There are many kritis (compositions) in praise of Lord Ganesha set in this musical scale.

Film Songs and Traditional Compositions

  • "Va Va Va Kanna Va" by Ilayaraaja rendered by Mano (singer) and K S Chithra in Tamil
  • "Vellai Pookal" from the movie "Kannathil Muthamittal"
  • "Sriranga Ranganathanin" (Charanam) from the movie "Mahanadi; the Pallavi is based on Ragam Mohanam" [5]
  • "Lagi Lagan Pathi Sakhi Sang" from the movie "Meghe Dhaka Tara"

Graha bhedham

Hamsadhvani's notes when shifted using Graha bhedam, yields another pentatonic rāgam, Nagasvaravali. Graha bhedam is the step taken in keeping the relative note frequencies same, while shifting the shadjam to the next note in the rāgam. For more details and illustration of this concept refer Graha bhedam on Hamsadhvani.

Scale similarities

  • Mohanam is a rāgam which has chatushruti dhaivatam in place of the nishadam. Structures are shown in second table.
  • Amritavarshini is a rāgam which has Prati Madhyamam in place of the rishabham. Structures are shown in first table.
  • Gambhiranata is a rāgam which has shuddha madhyamam in place of the rishabham. Structures are shown in first table.
  • Niroshta is a rāgam which has chatushruti dhaivatam in place of the panchamam. Structures are shown in second table.
RāgamŚruti
Tonic		CDEFGABC
HamsadhvaniCSR2G3PN3S'
AmritavarshiniCSG3M2PN3S'
GambhiranataC S G3 M1 P N3 S'
RāgamŚruti
Tonic		CDEFGABC
HamsadhvaniC S R2 G3 P - N3 S'
MohanamCSR2G3PD2-S'
NiroshtaCSR2G3-D2N3S'

In Hindustani music

Vadi & Samavadi

Vadi: Re

Samavadi: Pa

Pakad or Chalan

Re Ga Re Ni Pa Sa Re Sa

The Pakad is the one where one can identify to which raga does the composition belongs.

Organization & Relationships

Thaat: Bilaval.

Time

Second quarter of night.

Important Recordings

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Bor, Joep; Rao, Suvarnalata (1999). The Raga Guide: A Survey of 74 Hindustani Ragas. Nimbus Records with Rotterdam Conservatory of Music. p. 80. ISBN 9780954397609.
  2. 1 2 3 Raganidhi by P. Subba Rao, Pub. 1964, The Music Academy of Madras
  3. ↑ P.P.Narayanaswami on www.carnatica.net
  4. ↑ Ragas in Carnatic music by Dr. S. Bhagyalekshmy, Pub. 1990, CBH Publications
  5. ↑ http://tfmpage.com/forum/20068.ros.html

Literature

  • Bor, Joep (ed). Rao, Suvarnalata; der Meer, Wim van; Harvey, Jane (co-authors) The Raga Guide: A Survey of 74 Hindustani Ragas. Zenith Media, London: 1999.
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