A challenge to enjoy on a daily basis (30 min.):
Select a popular melakarta raga to get into the “flow” >>
(e.g. the 65th Mecakalyani) before exploring others (01 to 72)
in 36 daily sessions, over and over again – Happy Flowing!
Over a longer period, start each practice session with a mela having Prati Ma for the ascending svara pattern (arohana), e.g. 37 or 72.
Then sing its corresponding mela containing Suddha Ma for the descending svara pattern (avarohana), e.g. 01 or 36.
For the above examples, “mela pair” practice means combining 29 & 65, 01 & 37 and 36 & 72 respectively.
Please note: the corresponding numbers within each pair always differ by 36.
What change does the substitution of “Prati” for “Suddha” Ma effect?
“Even as a drop of butter-milk converts the entire milk in a vessel into curd, the substitution of prati madhyama in the place of suddha madhyama in the uttara melas [“upper” series 37-72] does effect such a radical change and gives rise to an entirely new set of mela ragas.” – Prof. George S. Paul quoting from Venkatamakhi’s 17th treatise Chaturdandi Prakasika (Preface to Ragadhana, 1993 ed.)
To verify Venkatamakhi’s claim, listen attentively to renditions of two ragas figuring prominently in the repertoire of most Carnatic singers: Sankarabharanam and Kalyani (derived from melas 29 and 65 respectively), beautifully sung by Uma Ramasubramaniam (like many others on Raga Surabhi, highly recommendable for all learners and lovers of Carnatic music).
Download this audio file (2 MB, 2 min. mono)
Credit: eSWAR / FS-3C Sruthi petti + Tanjore Tambura
Audio | Sruti selection for different vocal ranges and ragas
Credit: eSWAR / FS-3C Sruthi petti + Tanjore Tambura
A free flowing exercise: swinging with “Prati” and “Suddha” Ma
Once familiar with the Venkatamakhi’s truly path breaking idea, you may enjoy starting each daily exploration of yet another melakarta pair with the exercise seen below. Please note the change indicated by ma: in the present “mela pair” exercise, the position of ma alternates between Prati Ma (raised fourth) in the ascending series (arohana) and Suddha Ma (lower or “natural” fourth) for the descending svara pattern (avarohana).
To practice all the possible (36) “mela pairs”, check the (free) mela pocket guide >>
Select a matching pair of melakarta ragas per day from the print-friendly chart. For offline use, fold a printout along the green and dotted lines to fit your purse. Create your own schedule by picking any day in the calendar. Eventually add the current day of the week (e.g. 1 for Monday, 7 for Sunday) as to cover all the 72 melakarta ragas.
Learn more about melakarta & janya ragas >>