Mohanam – Raaga
Raaga is a sequence of musical notes in Indian Classical Music. Every Raaga has a defined style of exposition of the notes and has a name. Although the notes definition, nomenclature and exposition of various Raagas differ in Hindusthani and Carnatic Schools of Indian Music, Raaga is essentially a sequence of musical notes that has a defined style of exposition and has an innate capacity to create or induce a specific mood in the audience.
Mohanam is one such Raaga in Carnatic Music. Mohanam means beauty and induces a joyful mood. The Raaga has a beautiful exposition structure befitting the name. Mohanam consists of five basic notes namely Sa Re Ga Pa and Dha in both the ascending and descending mode of the scale called the Arohanam and Aavarohanam in Carnatic music (many Raagas in Carnatic music have different ascending and descending notes).
The Raaga has its equivalent in Hindusthaani School of music too with the name Bhupali.
The Raaga is special in the sense that it can be rendered and utilized in heavy and light styles of exposition.
For example, Saint Tyagaraaja has composed the famous ‘Krithi’ (the Carnatic equivalent of the Western ‘Song’ concept) “Nannupaalimpa” in such a tough tempo that makes even a master musician to perspire.
Mysore Vaasudevaachaariariaar’s “Raaraa Raajiva Lochana” is a heavy piece too. No musician can ever ignore GNB’s “Sadhaapaalaya Saarasaakshi” in this Raaga. The simple yet charming “Raamanai Kannaara Kandeyne” of Arunaachala Kavi is Mohanam in pristine beauty. At the same time, the all time semi-classical hit of P.Suseela “Maanikkaveenai yeendhum” is also in Mohanam.
Mannikkaveenai Yeendhum – Played by Rajesh Vaidhya on Veenai
Illayaraaja has done “Meenkudi theyril” in Karumbuvil and “Ninnukorivarnam” in the movie Agninakshtram utilizing the same Raaga.
Devaa has also done the famous “Vellirikka pinji vellirikka” in Kaadhalkotai with Mohanam.
Mohanam has found its way into the realms of film industry too with almost every one of the famous South Indian film music composers utilizing the mesmerizing effect of the Raaga. Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan, the violin maestro turned music director has to his credit “Thiruchendooril” in the movie Dheivam. M.S.Visvanathan has done “Orupakkam paarkara-oru Kanna saaikaraa” in Mattukaaravelan.
Thus, Mohanam is a Raaga that induces a joyful mood. Hence, it is popular not only with classical but also modern music lovers.
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Author: Prof. Ramanan – (c) IsaiArangam |
Mohanam is Owdava-Owdava Ragam which is similar to a pentatonic Scale in Western Music, Hungarian folk music & West African Music. Raaja Sir has done more than 50 Compositions in this Ragam – Some are – Idhayam Oru Kovil, Aalolam Kili Thopilae, Nilavu Thoongum Naeram, Oru Thanga Rathathil, Indha Poovukoru Arasan, Kannan Oru Kai Kuzhandhai, Aathoram Kaathaada, Geetham Sangeetham, Aattirambile Kumbile, ABC Nee Vaasi, Kekaliyo Kekaliyo, Oru Ragam Padalodu, Nilavu Thoongum Naeram, Oru Kanam Oru Yugamaaga, Poovil Vandu Modhum, Vaan Pole Vannam :good:
Gosh! That was a great collection of songs!
Thanks for giving a introducing about this particular raaga. The veenai piece from Maanike Vinaiyeendhi inspired me a lot!! Looking forward to another article from you very soon !
hmm….nic explanation
Introduction part is really very nice
Very nice Article =:D thanks for sharing with us!!
Nice introduction about raaga!!
hey thanks and congratulations for the nice explanation about raaga
Nice collection of words! :good:
what’s up?
nice article! please continue to give examples of how raagas are used in film songs and also how it influences one’s mind :good:
Banner design is fabulous
ayyarku padula ayyar ponna oru stil eduthu pota inum loookkkkk ahhh
irundurukum parava ila next time adula konjam concentrate pannunga he he he he
piraba this is over da
Wow!nice article
amazing article well done….
Good work Ramanan :good:
i like the lines very much :rose:
Like it!
piraba dai enda epade…
amazing lines…very good
simply good….
fantastic article
nice article and love this raaga..i think ARR also did a song in Uthaya in this Raagam..
loved the ninnukori song. much of my favorites from mohanam raaga. really pleasing and a sweet song to hear.looking forward to such more artcles with such valuable information. :good: