Chalanata(pronounced chalanāta) is arāgaminCarnatic music(musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is the 36thMelakartarāgam in the 72melakartarāgam system of Carnatic music. It is one of the few rāgams referred by the same name inMuthuswami Dikshitarschool of Carnatic music.[1]
It is the 6th rāgam in the 6th chakraRutu.The mnemonic name isRutu-Sha.The mnemonic phrase issa ru gu ma pa dhu nu.[2]Itsārohaṇa-avarohaṇastructure (ascending and descending scale) is as follows (seeswaras in Carnatic musicfor details on below notation and terms):
The notes used in this scale areshadjam, shatsruthi rishabham, antara gandharam, shuddha madhyamam, panchamam, shatsruthi dhaivathamandkakali nishadham.As it is amelakartarāgam, by definition it is asampurnarāgam(has all seven notes in ascending and descending scale). It is theshuddha madhyamamequivalent ofRasikapriya,which is the 72nd (last)melakarta.
Chalanāta(also pronouncedChalanāttai) has two popularjanyarāgams (derived scales) associated with it, namelyNāta(Nāttai)andGhambheeranāta(Gambheeranāttai).Nātaragam compositions are sung often in concerts and it overshadowsChalanāta.[3]SeeList of Janya Rāgamsfor list ofjanyarāgams associated withChalanāta.
This section covers the theoretical and scientific aspect of this rāgam.
Chalanata'snotes when shifted usingGraha bhedam,yields a majorMelakartarāgamShubhapantuvarali.Graha bhedamis the step taken in keeping the relative note frequencies same, while shifting theshadjamto the next note in the rāgam. For further details and an illustration referGraha bhedam on Chalanata.
