Charukesi

Charukesi (pronounced chārukēś‌i) is a rāga in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is the 26th Melakarta rāgam in the 72 melakarta rāgam system of Carnatic music. It is called Tarangini in Muthuswami Dikshitar school of Carnatic music.

Charukesi
ArohanamS R₂ G₃ M₁ P D₁ N₂ 
Avarohanam N₂ D₁ P M₁ G₃ R₂ S
EquivalentAeolian dominant scale

Charukesi is known to incite feelings of pathos and devotion in the listener.

Structure and Lakshana

Charukesi scale with Shadjam at C

It is the 2nd rāgam in the 5th chakra Bana. The mnemonic name is Bana-Sri. The mnemonic phrase is sa ri gu ma pa dha ni.[1] Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure (ascending and descending scale) is as follows (see swaras in Carnatic music for details on below notation and terms):

(chathusruthi rishabham, anthara gandharam, shuddha madhyamam, shuddha dhaivatham, kaisiki nishadham)

It is a sampoorna rāgam - a rāgam that has all seven swaras (notes). It is the shuddha madhyamam equivalent of Rishabhapriya, which is the 62nd melakarta.

The structure is the equivalent of an Aeolian dominant scale, also known as the Mixolydian b-6 scale.

Janya rāgams

There are only a few minor janya rāgams (derived scales) associated with Charukesi. See full list of janya rāgams associated with it.

Many compositions exist amongst modern adaptations of Charukesi, especially in Indian movies, in film songs. Examples are the songs Ammamma kelladi thozhi from Karuppu panam by M.S.Viswanathan Dhaandiya Aattam from the movie Kadhalar Dhinam, Vasanta mullai poalae from the movie Sarangadara, Edho Edho Ondru from the movie Enakku Iruvathu, Unakku Padhinettu, 'Aadal Kalaye' from Sri Raghavendra and Udaya Udaya from another Udhaya. In Hindi movies Ahista Ahista from the movie Swades, Teri Umeed Tera Intezar from the movie Deewana, Aye Kash Kavi Aisa Hota from the movie Mohra, are in Charukesi. Another composition in this raaga is the song Bombe Aatavaiyya from the Rajkumar starrer Kannada movie Shruthi Seridaaga. Arguably the best rendition of Charukesi in a Hindi movie is Baiyya Na Dharo sung by Lata Mangeshkar and composed by Madan Mohan from the movie Dastak. Charukesi is also popular in Hindustani music.

Bhavgeet He Surano Chandra Vha composed by Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki and ghazal Main Hosh Mein Tha performed by Mehdi Hassan are other well known examples of Charukesi.

In Malayalam, one of the all-time greatest songs is in Charukesi: 'Akale akale neelaakaasam' (from the movie 'Midumidukki', 1968). This was composed by Baburaj and sung by Yesudas and S. Janaki. There are claims that this raga is actually a very rare janya raga of Charukesi, Ushaabharanam (s g m d p m d n s / s n d p m g r g m r s). There are other great Charukesi compositions in Malayalam Films like Krishna Kripa Saagaram from Sargam sung by Yesudas and Chitra. Yaathrayai from Aayiram Para by Yesudas, Pooja Bimbam Mizhi from Harikrishnans by Yesudas and Chitra and Swapnam Thejichal from Rakshasa Raajavau by Yesudas to mention a few.

In the 2012 release of his devotional album on Lord Ayyappan Sabarimalai Va Charanam Solli Va, ace singer P. Unni Krishnan renders a song on Raga Charukesi, Uthirathil Udhithavane Sol, signifying the Lord's birth star UTHIRAM.[2] This album was composed and released by Manachanallur Giridharan, a noted music director from Tamil Nadu.

In western music, charukesi like structures are encountered in Franz Schubert's famous Impromptu C Minor Allegro molto moderato and also in Russian Composer Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov's 'Procession of the Sardar' from his Orchestral Suite, Caucasian Sketches.

Film Songs

Language:Tamil

Song Movie Composer Singer
Manmadha Leelayai Vendrar Undo Haridas Papanasam Sivan M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Neeyegadhi Eswari Annaiyin Aanai S. M. Subbaiah Naidu P. Leela
Vasandha Mullai Polae Sarangadhara G. Ramanathan T. M. Soundararajan
Aadal Kaaneero Madurai Veeran (1956 film) M. L. Vasanthakumari
Ammamma Keladi Karuppu Panam Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy L. R. Eswari
Vellimalai Mannava Kandhan Karunai K. V. Mahadevan S. Varalakshmi
Thungadha Kannendru Kungumam (film) T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Azhagiya Thamizh Magal Rickshawkaran M. S. Viswanathan
Moondru Tamizh Thondriyadhu Pillaiyo Pillai
Muthukulikka Vaareergala Anubavi Raja Anubavi T. M. Soundararajan, L. R. Eswari, M. S. Viswanathan
Ammamma Thambi Rajapart Rangadurai T. M. Soundararajan
Paal Polave (Ragam Sarasangi also) Uyarndha Manithan P. Susheela (Won National Award for 1st song)
Varasolladi Paadhukaappu
Mangala Mangaiyum Neela Vaanam P. Susheela, L. R. Eswari
Muthu Tharagai Oru Kai Osai S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
Nambhikai Vaithuvidu Silambu K.J. Yesudas
Kaatrinile Thulabharam G. Devarajan
Nilaimaarum Ulagil Oomai Vizhigal Manoj–Gyan
Chandirane Suriyane Amaran Adithyan
Aadal Kalaiye Sri Raghavendrar Illayaraja
Siriya Paravai Andha Oru Nimidam S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Sakarakatti Ulle Veliye
Vaanathula Velli Enga Ooru Mappillai Mano, K.S. Chitra
Enna Marantha Pandithurai
Pothukkittu Oothuthadi Paayum Puli Malaysia Vasudevan, P. Susheela
Chinna Ponnu Aruvadai Naal Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki, Vani Jairam
Petha Manasu Enne Petha Raasa Illayaraja
Arumbhagi Mottagi Enga Ooru Kavalkaran Deepan Chakravarthy, P. Susheela
Mayaginen solla Naane Raja Naane Mandhiri P. Jayachandran, P. Susheela
Vatti Edutha Gramatthu Minnal Illayaraja, K.S. Chitra
Vaanil Vedivelli Honest Raj Mano, S. Janaki
Thoodhu Selvadharadi Singaravelan S. Janaki
Uyire Uyirin En Bommukutty Ammavukku K.J. Yesudas, K.S. Chitra
Manamalayum Manjalum Vaathiyaar Veettu Pillai S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Samsaram Adhu Samsaram Adhu Minsaram Shankar–Ganesh
Udhaya Udhaya Udhaya A. R. Rahman Hariharan, Sadhana Sargam
Yedho Yedho Enakku 20 Unakku 18 Karthik, Gopika Poornima
Thai Sonna Desam K.J. Yesudas, Madhushree
Rasiga Rasiga Star S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sujatha Mohan
Uyire Uyire (Charanam only) Bombay Hariharan, K.S. Chitra
Kann Imaikkamal Ragasiya Police Laxmikant–Pyarelal Mano,Swarnalatha
En Rasathi Nee Vazhanum Oomai Kuil Chandrabose S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K.S. Chitra
Sendhoora Pandikku Sendhoorapandi Deva
Engengey Nerrukku Ner Hariharan, Asha Bhosle
Kadhala Kadhala Avvai Shanmughi Hariharan, Sujatha Mohan
Chinna Chinna Mundhiriya Natpukkaga Mano, K.S. Chitra
Meesaikkaara Nanbaa Deva,Krishnaraj(Pathos)
Poravale Ponnuthayi Rayilukku Neramachu S. A. Rajkumar S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Swarnalatha
Pollachi Elaneere Attahasam Bharadwaj Anuradha Sriram, Karthik
Thayyatha Thayyatha Thiruttu Payale Sadhana Sargam,Reshmi, Amalraj
Thalaattum Kaatre Vaa

(Mathaymavathi touches also)

Poovellam Un Vasam Vidyasagar Shankar Mahadevan
Kaadhal Vandhaal Iyarkai Tippu,Manikka Vinayagam
Nenjil Nenjil Engeyum Kadhal Harris Jayaraj Harish Raghavendra, Chinmayi
Aaruyire Aaruyire Madrasapattinam G. V. Prakash Kumar Sonu Nigam, Saindhavi
Idhu Enna Valiyo Nandhanam Gopi Sundar Haricharan, Chinmayi
Vinaa Vinaa Papanasam Ghibran Hariharan
Neelangaraiyil Pulivaal N. R. Raghunanthan Karthik, Saindhavi
Usure Usure Karuppan D. Imman Ananya Bhat

Non Film Songs

Song Language Album Composer Lyricist Singer Audio Label
O Nanna Chethana Kannada Bhava Taranga Mahesh Mahadev Kuvempu Priyadarshini PM Audios
Song Language Album Composer Lyricist Singer Audio Label
Hey Suranno Chandra Vha Marathi - Pt. Jeetendra Abhisheki ji Kusumagraz Mahesh Kale -
Song Language Album Composer Lyricist Singer Audio Label
Yaar Aval Instrumental Kanavugal Tariq Utopia NH7 Music

This section covers the theoretical and scientific aspect of this rāgam.

Charukesi's notes when shifted using Graha bhedam, yields 3 other major melakarta rāgams, namely, Vachaspati, Natakapriya and Gourimanohari. 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, see Graha bhedam on Vachaspati.

Notes

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

References

  1. Ragas in Carnatic music by Dr. S. Bhagyalekshmy, Pub. 1990, CBH Publications
  2. Devotional song on Charukesi by P. Unni Krishnan
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