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JANYA
RAGAS
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term varja is sometimes used to indicate missing swaras. For
example, the raga Sri- ranjani has an
arohanam - avarohanam of Sa - Ri - Ga - Ma - Da - Ni - Sa, Sa - Ni -
Da - Ma - Ga - Ri - Sa and is derived from
the 22nd melakarta Kharaharapriya. It is thus described as a
Panchama varja raga, derived from Kharaharapriya. Consider another
example, Malaya- maarutham. It is a
Madhyama varja raga derived from the 16th melakarta Chakravaaham. The
designation of the parent ragam as Chakravaaham is subjective since
the Madhyama varja raga derived from the
52nd melakarta Raamapriya is identical to
Malayamaarutham. The problem is
that Chakravaaham and Raamapriya differ only in Ma and
since Malaya- maarutham is
Madhyama varja, it can be derived from either. In such cases, the gamakas used
in the janya raga have to be studied to decide which of the melakartas is
appropriately described as the aren't raga. This problem is compounded in the case of
Baashaanga ragas which are anyway derived from multiple melakartas. In any case, the
assignment of a parent melakarta is somewhat subjective and various experts often ascribe
different parents for a given janya raga. A well known example is the ragam
Mohanam, which has an arohanam - avarohanam of Sa - Ri - Ga - Pa - Da - Sa, Sa - Da - Pa - Ga - Ri - Sa,
using Chatusruthi Rishabam, Anthara Gandharam and Chatusruthi Dhaivatham. Various
authors have classfied it as a janya ragam of Harikaambhoji (melakarta
no. 28) and Mechakalyaani (65) and more are possible. It is a matter of
individual viewpoint as to which is the parent ragam. As long the distinct swaroopam is maintained, it
really does not matter what is assigned as the parent ragam. |
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