Ragamalika, literally a garland of
raga
A ''raga'' or ''raag'' (; also ''raaga'' or ''ragam''; ) is a melodic framework for improvisation in Indian classical music akin to a musical mode, melodic mode. The ''rāga'' is a unique and central feature of the classical Indian music tradit ...
s, is a popular form of composition in
Carnatic music
Carnatic music, known as or in the Dravidian languages, South Indian languages, is a system of music commonly associated with South India, including the modern Indian states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, an ...
where different segments of the composition are set to different ragas.
It is also known as ''Raga Kadambakam,'' and forms parallel to the composition form talamalika which features segments set to different
talas. Ragatalamalika are a special kind of ragamalika compositions featuring a range of talas.
Navaragamalika
Navaragamalika (pronounced navarāgamālika) is a composition in Carnatic Music that is composed using a collection of nine ragas. Each verse is set to a different raga.
Etymology
''Navaragamalika'' is the samasa of two words, ''nava'' and '' ...
is a popular type of ragamalika composition where the music is set to 9 ragas.
Ramaswami Dikshitar
Ramaswami Dikshita (, 1735–1817) or Dikshitar was a South Indian composer of Carnatic music and the father of Muthuswami Dikshitar. He was a member of the courts of Amar Singh of Thanjavur, Amarasimha () and Thuljaji, Tulaja II () of Thanjavur ...
is referred to as ''Ragamalika Chakravarti'' (King of Ragamalika) for his varied ragamalika compositions in
Telugu
Telugu may refer to:
* Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of India
*Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India
* Telugu script, used to write the Telugu language
** Telugu (Unicode block), a block of Telugu characters in Unicode
S ...
. Over the years, composers composed elaborate pieces such as the ''
'ashtottarashata ragatalamalika’'' of Ramaswami Dikshitar with 108 ragas and 108 talas,
and 'melakarta ragamalika' of
Maha Vaidyanatha Iyer
Vaidyanatha Sivan (1844 - 1893) ( ta, மஹா வைத்யநாத சிவன்) was a composer and vocalist of Carnatic music. He was a great exponent of extemporaneous singing. He also composed a ''ragamalika'' (garland of ragas - a s ...
featuring all 72 sampoorna
melakarta
Mēḷakartā is a collection of fundamental musical scales ( ragas) in Carnatic music (South Indian classical music). ''Mēḷakartā'' ragas are parent ragas (hence known as ''janaka'' ragas) from which other ragas may be generated. A ''melak ...
ragas.
Compositions
A few examples of ragamalikas are:
* ''Manasa Verutarula, Sivamohanasakti nannu, Samajagamana Ninnu Korinadira,'' and ''Ashtottarashata Ragatalamalika'' by
Ramaswami Dikshitar
Ramaswami Dikshita (, 1735–1817) or Dikshitar was a South Indian composer of Carnatic music and the father of Muthuswami Dikshitar. He was a member of the courts of Amar Singh of Thanjavur, Amarasimha () and Thuljaji, Tulaja II () of Thanjavur ...
* ''Sri Viswanatham Bhajeham, Madhavo Mampatu, Simhasanasthite'' and ''Poornachandrabimba Vadane'' by
Muthuswami Dikshitar
Muthuswami Dikshitar (Mudduswamy Dikshitar)(, 24 March 1776 – 21 October 1835), mononymously Dikshitar, was a South Indian poet, singer and veena player, and a legendary composer of Indian classical music, who is considered one of the musical ...
* ''Valachi Vachi,'' a navaragamalika varnam by
Patnam Subramania Iyer
Patnam Subramania Iyer (1845 – July 31, 1902) was a composer and singer of Carnatic music. Subramaniya Iyer followed the traditions of the great composer Tyagaraja. He has left behind almost one hundred compositions.
Subramaniya Iyer was bor ...
* ''Bhavayami'' and ''Kamalajasya'', by
Swathi Thirunal
( ml, സ്വാതി തിരുനാള് രാമവർമ്മ) (16 April 1813 – 26 December 1846) was the Maharaja of the Kingdom of Travancore. He is also considered as a brilliant music composer and is credited with over 40 ...
* ''Baro Krishnayya'' By
Kanakadasa
Kanaka Dasa (1509–1609) was a Haridasa saint and philosopher, popularly called Daasashreshta Kanakadasa (ದಾಸಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ ಕನಕದಾಸ). He was a renowned composer of Carnatic music, poet, reformer and musician. He is kn ...
* ''
Kurai Onrum Illai
Kurai Onrum Illai ( ta, குறை ஒன்றும் இல்லை, meaning ''No grievances have I'') is a Tamil devotional song written by C. Rajagopalachari. The song set in Carnatic music was written in gratitude to Hindu God (Venkates ...
'' by
C. Rajagopalachari
Chakravarti Rajagopalachari (10 December 1878 – 25 December 1972), popularly known as Rajaji or C.R., also known as Mootharignar Rajaji (Rajaji'', the Scholar Emeritus''), was an Indian statesman, writer, lawyer, and independence activis ...
* ''Tumhein Mohabbat Hai'' by
A. R. Rahman
Allah Rakha Rahman (; born A. S. Dileep Kumar; 6 January 1967) is an Indian music composer, record producer, singer and songwriter, popular for his works in Indian cinema; predominantly in Tamil and Hindi films, with occasional forays in int ...
from
Atrangi Re
''Atrangi Re'' () is a 2021 Indian Hindi-language romantic fantasy comedy drama film directed by Aanand L. Rai and written by Himanshu Sharma. Produced by T-Series Films, Colour Yellow Productions and Cape of Good Films, the film stars Dhan ...
References
Carnatic compositions
Carnatic ragas
{{Carnatic-music-stub