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 Darbari Kanada, or simply Raga Darbari (pronounced darbāri kānada), is a raga in Carnatic music. It is a janya ragam (derived scale) of 20th Melakarta raga Natabhairavi. It is believed to be borrowed into Hindustani classical music by ...

, 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 Malahari is a Carnatic raga. This raaga is a ''janya'' of the 15th ''Melakarta'' raga Mayamalavagowla. This raga is known to be a morning raga which brings out a sense of calmness.''Raganidhi'' by P. Subba Rao, Pub. 1964, The Music Academy of ...

, which is ''

janya ''Janya'' is a term meaning "derive". In Carnatic (South Indian) music a ''janya raga'' is one derived from one of the 72 '' melakarta'' ragas (fundamental melodic structures). ''Janya'' ragas are classified into various types based on a vari ...

'' raga of 15th ''

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 derived. A ''melaka ...

Mayamalavagowla Mayamalavagowla (pronounced ) is a raga of Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is classified as 15th '' melakarta'' raga under Venkatamakhin's '' melakarta'' system. Originally known as ''malavagowla'', "maya" was p ...

, 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 Harikambhoji (pronounced harikāmbhōji) is a rāgam in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is the 28th ''Melakarta'' rāgam (parent scale) in the 72 ''melakarta'' rāgam system. One of the first scales employed ...

, 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