An Avarohana, Avarohanam or Avaroha, in the context of

Indian classical music Indian classical music is the art music, classical music of the Indian subcontinent. It is generally described using terms like ''Shastriya Sangeet'' and ''Marg Sangeet''. It has two major traditions: the North Indian classical music known as ...

, is the descending scale of any

raga A raga ( ; , ; ) is a melodic framework for improvisation in Indian classical music akin to a musical mode, melodic mode. It is central to classical Indian music. Each raga consists of an array of melodic structures with musical motifs; and, fro ...

.''Ragas in Carnatic music'' by Dr. S. Bhagyalekshmy, ''Glossary'' pages, Pub. 1990, CBH Publications The notes descend in pitch from the upper tonic (taar shadja or Sa) down to the lower tonic, possibly in a crooked (vakra) manner.

Examples

In raga Darbari, an

Asavari Asavari () is a minor character from the Stri Parva in Mahabharata, the love life of Karna but due to her father's arrogance, the marriage did not take place. She belongs to the Asavari (thaat), Asavari thaat kingdom. In pre-Bhatkhande days As ...

thaat A ''thaat'' () is a "parent scale" in North Indian or Hindustani music. It is the Hindustani equivalent of the term '' Melakartha raga'' of Carnatic music. The concept of the ''thaat'' is not exactly equivalent to the western musical scal ...

raga with vadi-

samvadi The samavadi or samvadi is the second-most prominent (though not necessarily second-most played) note of a raga in Indian classical music. The primary note of the raga is the ''Vadi (Hindustani classical music), vadi''; the vadi and samavadi are i ...

R-P, the avroha is R' n S' d~ n P, m P g~ m R S, with andolan on the dhaivat and gandhar. In Malahari, which is '' janya'' raga of 15th '' melakarta'' Mayamalavagowla, the avarohana is ''S D1 P M1 G2 R1 S''. See swaras in Carnatic music for description of this notation. In Sahana, a ''janya'' raga of 28th ''melakarta'' Harikambhoji, the Avarohana is ''S N2 D2 P M1 G3 M1 R2 G3 R2 S''. This raga in its avarohana has the notes jumping from one to another (a bit like Dattu). This changes the whole feel of the raga, making Sahana a beautiful raga to listen to.

References

{{reflist Carnatic music terminology Hindustani music terminology Ragas