10 Raaga Instances where the concept of MelHarmony and its application flourished
The prime difference between Indian Classical and Western Classical music is the concept of harmony. Harmony is a a phenomenon in which two different sync scales are performed at the same time. This adds additional layer to the composition one of the reasons why musicians find the concept of harmony appealing and gives a new idea of using it for Carnatic classical music. MelHarmony is a recent phenomenon that is ruling the roost among the music circles. We bring you 10 such raagas which flourished in MelHarmony and making the western musicians turn their heads towards Indian Classical Music:
1. C Major Scale / Shankarabharanam: With all natural notes, Shankarabharanam is all-time favourite for not just Indian Classical Music but also with western classical. One wonderful example of C Major Scale usage is in award-winning classic The Sound of Music.
2. C Minor Scale / Keeravani: Also called as Kirwani in Hindustani Classical music, the raaga is one of the minor scale standards. There are many symphonies penned in the raaga by Western Classical legends such as Franz Schubert, Mozart and Bach. Keeravani also has admiration in Carnatic Classical Music and one can never forget the composition“ Ambavani Nannaadarimpave” composed by Shri
Muttaiah Bhagavatar.
3. Partial major scale C / Behag: This raaga has an extreme power of melody and hence used extensively in MelHarmony. Behag is not just a popular raaga but has multiple dimensionsas we dig into the raaga. Behag is like flow of a river with pristine bliss. With its delicate hues and beauty, Behag is a perfect choice for MelHarmony.
4. Jazz Intricacies / SIndhu Bhairavi: While Sindhu Bhairavi has beautiful mlelodic aspecs, it also has utter simplicity woven with difficult entwined ropes. It is quite intriguing to see the bridge between Carnatic and Jazz genre. With chromatic scales, usage of accidentals in the middle of the composition. The wonderful fusion with MelHarmony of Sindhu Bhairavi.
5. Arabic Scales / Vakulabharanam: The world of Arabic music is deep, mystical and philosophical. It is interesting to know that Vakulabharanam has Arabic influnces and he harmony between these two full scales is a miracle altogether.
6. C Major scale with accidental ma / Kalyani: An all-time favourite for both Carnatic and Hindustani classical music, Kalyani is also termed as Yaman in Hindustani circles. With its sweetness and deeply rooted traditional values, Kalyani also has Jazz counterparts thereby making it a top choice for MelHarmony.
7. Kharaharapriya / Dorian Scale: As per the History of Western Classical music, Dorian scale was the first ever full-scale that emerged. Coincidentally, Kharaharapriya is the base scale in the world of Carnatic classical music. Kharahapriya is such a grand raaga that it has numerous janya raagas such as Madhyamavati, Suddha Dhanyasi and so on.
8. Jazz Overtones / Hamsadhwani: Being a pentatonic scale with all natural notes, Hamsadhwani has high regard in Indian Classical music. Because of its chord progression and the treatment of the notes, Hamsadhwani has close encounters in Jazz.
9. Maarwa / cross cultural harmony: With folk-huews, Marwa is a wonderful raag with magical scale progression. It has the capacity to bring pentatonic scales blend effortlessly with the Hindustani raag.
10. Pentatonic C Major Scale( Mohana)/ Mohanam: Last but not the least, Mohana raagam is simply mesmerizing to listen to an time of the day. With the usage ofchromatic notes and chords, Mohanam dwells perfectly with Jazz as well as Western Classical Music.
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