Simhendramadhyamam is a ragam in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is the 57th melakarta rāgam in the 72 melakarta rāgam system of Carnatic music. It is called Sumadyuti in Muthuswami Dikshitar school of Carnatic music.[1][2] It is said to be borrowed into Hindustani music from Carnatic music.[2]

Simhendramadhyama
ArohanamS R₂ G₂ M₂ P D₁ N₃ 
Avarohanam N₃ D₁ P M₂ G₂ R₂ S
EquivalentHungarian minor scale

Structure and Lakshana

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Simhendramadhyamam scale with shadjam at C

It is the 3rd rāgam in the 10th chakra Disi. The mnemonic name is Disi-Go. The mnemonic phrase is sa ri gi mi pa dha nu.[1] Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure (ascending and descending scale) is as follows (see swaras in Carnatic music for details on below notation and terms):

It is also equivalent to Hungarian Minor Scale that is also called as Gypsy Minor Scale in Western Music.

This musical scale uses the notes chatushruti rishabham, sadharana gandharam, prati madhyamam, shuddha daivatam and kakali nishadham. As it is a melakarta rāgam, by definition it is a sampūrṇa rāgam (has all seven notes in ascending and descending scale). It is the prati madhyamam equivalent of Kiraṇāvali ( also known by name kīravāṇi ), which is the 21st melakarta.

Janya rāgams

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Simhendramadhyamam has a few minor janya rāgams (derived scales) associated with it, of which Vijaya Saraswati, a scale first used by Muthiah Bhagavatar is sung in concerts. See List of janya rāgams for all scales associated with Simhendramadhyamam.

Compositions

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Here are a few common compositions sung in concerts, set to Simhendramadhyamam.

Nin charana malare by Pabanasamsivan

Here two famous Bengali songs composed by Rabindranath Tagore & Kazi Nazrul Islam, set to Simhendramadhyamam.

  • Baje Koruno Sure (Rabindra Sangeet)
  • Paradesi Megh Jao Re fire (Nazrul Geeti)

Film songs

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Language: Tamil

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Song Movie Composer Singer
Enna Aanandham Raja Mukthi C. R. Subbaraman M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, M. L. Vasanthakumari
Ellaam Inbamayam(Ragamalika starting portion only) Manamagal M. L. Vasanthakumari, P. Leela
Onngharamai Vilangum Natham Vanangamudi G. Ramanathan T. M. Soundararajan
Poo Mudippal Indha Poonkuzhali Nenjirukkum Varai M.S.Viswanathan
Konjum Malar Janani S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
Illadhathondrillai Thiruvilaiyadal K. V. Mahadevan T. R. Mahalingam
Aanandha Raagam Panneer Pushpangal Illayaraja Uma Ramanan
Thaalaattum Poongaatru Gopura Vasalile S. Janaki
Nee Pournami Oruvar Vaazhum Aalayam K.J. Yesudas
Kaatrodu Kuzhalin Kodai Mazhai K. S. Chithra
Arul Kann Paarvai Aanazhagan
Ennai Yenna Seithai Ivan Sudha Ragunathan
Oru Ganam Ennarukil Nee Irunthal Arunmozhi
Nyabagam Illaiyo Priyanka Illayaraja, S. Janaki
Idhayame Idhayame Idhayam S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Paadi Thirintha Kakkai Siraginilae
Poonthendralil Chandramathy Raja Priyan
Athi Kaalai Kaatre Nillu Thalaivasal Bala Bharathi S. Janaki & Chorus
Tajmahal Thevaillai Amaravathi S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Paartha Parvayil Gowrimanohari M.M.A Iniyavan
Azhagiya Kalyana Poomalaithaan Chinnamani kuyile V. S. Narasimhan S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
En Kannanuku Kaadhal Pratap Maragathamani
Jana Gana Mana Vaaname Ellai
Manasum Manasum Sernthachu Perum Pulli S. A. Rajkumar Sunandha, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Unnaithane Vizhiengu Swarnamukhi Swararaj R. Janani
Devathaye Devathaye Oru Kadhal Seiveer Bharani Vijay Yesudas, Rajalakshmi
Sevanthiye Seeru D. Imman Thirumoorthy
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This section covers the theoretical and scientific aspect of this rāgam.

Simhendramadhyamam's notes when shifted using Graha bhedam, yields 2 other melakarta rāgams, namely, Mayamalavagowla and Rasikapriya. Graha bhedam is the step taken in keeping the relative note frequencies same, while shifting the shadjam to the next note in the rāgam. For further details and an illustration refer Graha bhedam on Mayamalavagowla.

Notes

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  1. ^ Alternate notations:
    • Hindustani: S R   P  N 
    • Western: C D E F G A B C
  2. ^ Alternate notations:
    • Hindustani:  N  P   R S
    • Western: C B A G F E D C

References

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  1. ^ a b Ragas in Carnatic music by Dr. S. Bhagyalekshmy, Pub. 1990, CBH Publications
  2. ^ a b Raganidhi by P. Subba Rao, Pub. 1964, The Music Academy of Madras