Abhogi

Summary

Abhogi (Ābhōgi) is a raga in Carnatic music and has been adapted to Hindustani music.[2] It is a pentatonic scale, an audava raga.[3] It is a derived scale (janya raga), as it does not have all the seven swaras (musical notes). Ābhōgi has been borrowed from Carnatic music into Hindustani music and is also quite popular in the latter. In Hindustani music the raga has been classified under the Kafi thaat. [4][5]

Abhogi
Mela22nd, Kharaharapriya[1]
TypeAudava–Audava[1]
ArohanamS R₂ G₂ M₁ D₂ [1]
Avarohanam D₂ M₁ G₂ R₂ S[1]
Jeeva svarasG₂[1]
Chhaya svarasD₂[1]
EquivalentAbhogi Kanada

Theory edit

 
Ābhōgi scale with shadjam at C
Arohanam and Avarohanam for Abhogi

The Carnatic raga Abhogi is a symmetric pentatonic scale that does not contain panchamam and nishadam. It is called an audava-audava raga,[4][5] as it has 5 notes in both ascending and descending scales. Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure is as follows:

The notes used are shadjam, chathusruti rishabham, sadharana gandharam, shuddha madhyamam and chathusruthi dhaivatham. Ābhōgi is considered a janya raga of Kharaharapriya, the 22nd Melakarta raga, though it can be derived from Gourimanohari too, by dropping both panchamam and nishadam.[citation needed]

Graha bhedam edit

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

According to P.Moutal, the raga Kalavati is a transposition of Abhogi.[6]

Scale similarities edit

  • Sriranjani is a rāgam which has kaishiki nishadam in both ascending and descending scales in addition to the notes in Ābhōgi. Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure is S R₂ G₂ M₁ D₂ N₂  :  N₂ D₂ M₁ G₂ R₂ S
  • Shuddha Saveri is a rāgam which has the panchamam in place of the gandharam. Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure is S R₂ M₁ P D₂  :  D₂ P M₁ R₂ S

Notable compositions edit

Abhogi is a raga used for compositions in a medium to fast tempo. It has been used by many composers in classical music and film music. Notable traditional compositions in Abhogi include:

In Hindustani music edit

Abhogi Kanada
ThaatKafi[2]
TypeAudava–Audava
Time of dayEarly night, 9–12[2]
ArohanaS R  M D [8]
Avarohana
  •  D M  M R S
  •  D M  R S
VadiS
SamavadiM
SynonymAbhogi
SimilarBageshri[2]

The Carnatic raga was incorporated relatively recently into Hindustani classical music where it is known as Abhogi Kanada (IAST: Abhogi Kānaḍā) or simply, Abhogi. The Kanada indicates its origin as a member of the Kanada group. Abhogi Kanada is assigned to the Kafi thaat.[2][8]

The Carnatic and Hindustani Abhogis have almost identical arohanas and avarohanas. However, one major differences is that the Carnatic raga uses the Kanada vakra (out of sequence) phrase G₂ M₁ R₂ S[c] in a straight manner.[1]

Theory edit

Pa and Ni are omitted. Also Re is often omitted in ascent. Flat Ga is often approached from Ma in ascent and has a slight oscillation to show the typical Kanada. In descent often the typical Kanada phrase   R S is used.[citation needed]

  • Arohana (order of ascending notes in the scale): S R  M D [d][2]
  • Avarohana (order of descending notes in the scale):  D M  R S[e] or  D M  R S[f][2]
  • Vadi: S[citation needed]
  • Samavadi: M[citation needed]
  • Jeeva Swaras: and D[citation needed]
  • Pakad or Chalan: GMDS SDRSDMD_ D_SRGRS D_RSDM GMMDDSDRSD_M GMD_MGGRR_ GRSd Rd_S
  • Samay (Time): Night, approximately 9PM-12AM.
  • Thaat: Kafi

Related ragas: Bageshree. However, Bageshree also includes flat Ni and a limited use of Pa, which gives a different flavour.[2]

Compositions edit

Hindustani compositions of note in Abhogi Kanada include:[8]

  • Par gaya chahai sab koi in Ektal by Raidas
  • Jayati siri radhike in Jhaptal by Gadadhar Bhatt
  • Ek barajori kare saiyya in Jhumratal

Important recordings edit

Film songs edit

In Tamil language edit

Song Movie Year Composer Singer
Thangaratham Vanthathu Kalai Kovil 1964 Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy M. Balamuralikrishna, P. Susheela
Naan Indri Yaar Vaaruvaar (Ragamalika: Abhogi, Valaji) Maalaiyitta Mangai 1958 T. R. Mahalingam, A. P. Komala
Kangalin Vaarthaigal Kalathur Kannamma 1960 R. Sudarsanam A. M. Rajah, P. Susheela
Vanakkam Palamurai Sonnen Avan Oru Sarithiram 1977 M. S. Viswanathan T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Mangayaril Maharani Avalukendru Or Manam 1971 S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
Inraiku Yen Indha Vaidehi Kathirunthal 1984 Ilaiyaraaja P. Jayachandran, Vani Jairam
Kalai Nera Amman Kovil Kizhakale 1986 S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Kuk Kuk Koo Ena Kaalaiyum Neeye Maalaiyum Neeye 1988 Devendran
Chandhiranai Thottadhu Yaar Ratchagan 1997 A. R. Rahman Hariharan, Sujatha Mohan
Konjam Neram Chandramukhi 2005 Vidyasagar Madhu Balakrishnan, Asha Bhonsle
Vaa Sagi Vaa Sagi Arasiyal 1997 Harish Raghavendra, Uma Ramanan
Maname Kurukshetram 2006 Isaac Thomas Kottukapally Pradeep
Idhayam Billa II 2012 Yuvan Shankar Raja Shweta Pandit
Ithuvarai Ithuvarai Potta Potti 2011 Aruldev Hariharan, Mahathi, Aruldev
Ulagam Rendaga Kaal Kolusu Santosh, Sanjeev Madhu Balakrishnan,Deepa

Language : Hindi edit

Song Movie Composer Singers
Na Jaiyo Re Sautan Ghar Sainya Kaagaz Ki Nao Sapan-Jagmohan Asha Bhosle

Language : Telugu edit

Song Movie Composer Singers
Aalapinchana Eevela [9] Sri Rama Pattabhishekam Pendyala (composer) P. Susheela

Language : Malayalam edit

Song Movie Composer Singers
Thozhukai kooppi unarum Boeing Boeing Raghukumar (composer) K.J.Yesudas

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ Alternate notations:
    • Hindustani: S R  M D 
    • Western: C D E F A C
  2. ^ Alternate notations:
    • Hindustani:  D M  R S
    • Western: C A F E D C
  3. ^ Alternate notations:
    • Hindustani:  M R S
    • Western: E F D C
  4. ^ Alternate notations:
    • Carnatic: S R₂ G₂ M₁ D₂ 
    • Western: C D E F A C
  5. ^ Alternate notations:
    • Carnatic:  D₂ M₁ G₂ R₂ S
    • Western: C A F E D C
  6. ^ Alternate notations:
    • Carnatic:  D₂ M₁ G₂ R₂ S
    • Western: C A F E D C

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k OEMI:A.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Bor & Rao 1999.
  3. ^ Chaudhuri, A. (2021). Finding the Raga: An Improvisation on Indian Music. Faber & Faber. p. 52. ISBN 978-0-571-37076-4. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  4. ^ a b Ragas in Carnatic music by Dr. S. Bhagyalekshmy, Pub. 1990, CBH Publications
  5. ^ a b Raganidhi by P. Subba Rao, Pub. 1964, The Music Academy of Madras
  6. ^ P.Moutal, p. 462
  7. ^ Carnatic music compositions: an index. CBH Publications. 1994. p. 129.
  8. ^ a b c OEMI:AK.
  9. ^ Shalimar Telugu Hindi Movies. "Sri Rama Pattabhishekam Aanapenchana Video Song NTR Sangeeta Shalimarcinema". youtube(videostreaming). Retrieved 21 July 2016.

Sources edit

  • Bor, Joep; Rao, Suvarnalata (1999). The Raga Guide: A Survey of 74 Hindustani Ragas. Nimbus Records with Rotterdam Conservatory of Music. p. 16. ISBN 978-0-9543976-0-9.
  • Ābhōgi Rāga (Kar), The Oxford Encyclopaedia of the Music of India. Oxford University Press. 2011. ISBN 978-0-19-565098-3. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  • Abhogi Kānaḍā Rāga (Hin), The Oxford Encyclopaedia of the Music of India. Oxford University Press. 2011. ISBN 978-0-19-565098-3. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  • Moutal, Patrick (1991), Hindustāni Rāga-s Index, New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt Ltd, ISBN 81-215-0525-7

External links edit

  • Mani, Charulatha (2 March 2012). "A Raga's Journey – Arresting Abhogi". The Hindu.