Janya is a term meaning "derive". In Carnatic music (South Indian) music a janya raga is one derived from one of the 72 melakarta ragas (fundamental melodic structures). Janya ragas are classified into various types based on a variety of features.
Varja ragas
Ragas that omit (varjyam, to omit in Sanskrit) one or more of the notes of the scale (
) of their parent
melakarta raga, in the ascending or descending scale or in both, fall into this category. Different notes may be omitted from the ascending
arohana and descending
avarohana scale. Such scales are given the names listed below.
[ A practical course in Carnatic music by Prof. P. Sambamurthy, 15th edition published 1998, The Indian Music publishing house][ Ragas in Carnatic music by Dr. S. Bhagyalekshmy, Pub. 1990, CBH Publications]
vrja a
-
Sampurna – 7 note scale
-
Shadava – 6 notes
-
Audava – 5 notes
Since these terms are applicable both to the ascending and the descending scale, ragas can be classified as Audava-Sampurna – 5 notes in and 7 in the – Shadava-Sampurna – 6 notes in and 7 in the , as in Kambhoji raga and so forth.
Sampurna-Sampurna ragas are not necessarily Melakarta because they may use notes not in the parent scale or vakra prayoga, a "zig-zag" scale instead of sequential ascent and descent). Such ragas are termed vakra ragas.
-
Nalinakanti – S G3 R2 M1 P N3 S, S N3 P M1 G3 R2 S
-
Kathanakuthuhalam – S R2 M1 D2 N3 G3 P S, S N3 D2 P M1 G3 R2 S
(see swaras of Carnatic music for an explanation of above notation)
Upanga/Bhashanga ragas
Upanga ragas are strictly derived from their parent
melakarta raga and do not use any note not found in the parent raga's scale.
Examples of
upanga ragas are
Shuddha Saveri,
Udayaravichandrika and
Mohanakalyani.
Bhashanga ragas have
anya swara(s) (external note; note not found in parent scale) in their
or both.
Examples of
Bhashanga ragas are
Kambhoji,
Bhairavi,
Bilahari,
Saranga,
Behag and
Kāpi.
Single octave
Some
janya ragas are sung in only one octave.
Moreover, the highest note is not the
shadjam (sa), at which the base
sruthi (drone) of a performance is set. The classifications in this category are as follows.
-
Nishadantya – highest note is the nishadam (ni)
example Nadanamakriya derived from Mayamalavagowla scale ( S R1 G3 M1 P D1 N3, N3 D1 P M1 G3 R1 S N3)
-
Dhaivathantya – highest note is the dhaivatham (dha)
example Kurinji derived from Shankarabharanam scale ( S N3 S R2 G3 M1 P D2, D2 P M1 G3 R2 S N3 S )
-
Panchamantya – highest note is the panchamam (pa)
example Navaroj ( P D2 N3 S R2 G3 M1 P, M1 G1 R3 S N2 D2 P)
Karnataka/Desya ragas
Karnataka ragas are those that are considered to have originated in Carnatic music.
Examples are
Shankarabharanam,
Lalitha and
Shuddha Saveri.
Desya ragas are those ragas that have their origins in other music, majority of them originating in Hindustani music. Examples are Yamunakalyani, Desh, Behag and Sindhu Bhairavi.
Other classifications
There are various other classifications of
janya ragas. These are based on relationships with other ragas (they give a feel of a different but similar raga), presence of
gamakas (oscillations and graces around the note), stresses on notes or lack of them, the time of day when a raga is sung,
rasa or mood that they evoke, etc.
See also
Notes
External links
