Bahudari (pronounced bahudāri) is a
rāga
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 ...
m in
Carnatic music
Carnatic music (known as or in the Dravidian languages) is a system of music commonly associated with South India, including the modern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and southern Odisha.
It is o ...
(musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is a derived scale (''
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 ...
'' rāgam), as it does not have all the seven ''
swara
Swara () or svara is an Indian classical music term that connotes simultaneously a breath, a vowel, a note, the sound of a musical note corresponding to its name, and the successive steps of the octave, or ''saptanka''. More comprehensively ...
s'' (musical notes), derived from the 28th
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 ...
raga
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 ...
.
[''Ragas in Carnatic music'' by Dr. S. Bhagyalekshmy, Pub. 1990, CBH Publications]
Structure and Lakshana

''Bahudari'' is an asymmetric scale that does not contain ''rishabham''. It is called a ''shadava-audava'' rāgam,
[''Raganidhi'' by P. Subba Rao, Pub. 1964, The Music Academy of Madras] in Carnatic music classification (as it has 6 notes in ascending and 5 notes in descending scale). Its ' structure is as follows (see
''swaras'' in Carnatic music for details on below notation and terms):
*
:
*
:
This scale uses the notes ''shadjam, antara gandharam, shuddha madhyamam, panchamam, chathusruthi dhaivatham'' and ''kaisiki nishadam''.
Popular compositions
Bahudari is a melodious rāgam.
Here are some popular compositions in ''Bahudari''.
*''Brova Bharama'' composed by
Thyagaraja
Sadguru Tyagaraja Swami ( Telugu: సద్గురు త్యాగరాజ స్వామి; 4 May 1767 – 6 January 1847), also known as Tyagayya, and in full as Kakarla Tyagabrahmam ( Telugu: కాకర్ల త్యాగబ ...
*''Marakoti sundari'' and ''Unnadiye gatiyendru'' by
G. N. Balasubramaniam
Gudalur Narayanaswamy Balasubramaniam (6 January 1910 – 1 May 1965), popularly known as GNB, was an Indian Carnatic music, Carnatic singer. He innovated the art through emphasis on ''laya ''control and reducing the ''gamakas'' which eventuall ...
*''Sadananda tandavam seyyum'' by
Achutadasar
*''Bhaja Manasa vighneswaram '' composed by
Thulaseevanam
*''Sinamadaiyade Seerividade'' composed by
Dandapani Desikar
M M Dandapani Desikar (August 27, 1908 – June 26, 1972) was a Carnatic vocalist, actor and composer.
'Isai Arasu' Dandapani Desikar was born in Tiruchengattangudi, near Nannilam in Madras Presidency. He got training from Manicka Desikar and K ...
*''Sakala Shanti Karamu Sarvesha - tuned by Mahavidwan Sri Nedunuri Krishnamurty'' composed by
Annamacharya
Tallapaka Annamacharya () (09 May 1408 – 23 February 1503), also popularly known as Annamayya, was a Telugu musician, composer, and a Hindu saint. He is the earliest known Indian musician to compose songs called '' samkirtanas.'' His devoti ...
* ' Kamaladalayatha lochana ' by Dr M. Balamuralikrishna.
*''Mahâ Venkateshwarâ'' by
Kalyani Varadarajan
Kalyani Varadarajan (8 October 1923 – 28 October 2003), commonly known as Kalyani, was one of Carnatic music's famous twentieth-century composers. She created carnatic compositions in all 72 melakarta ragas, besides scores of janya ragas.
Ear ...
*''Irabeku Hari Dasara'' by
Purandaradasa
Purandara Dasa (IAST: Purandara Dāsa; (1470 – 1564) was a composer, singer and a Haridasa philosopher from present-day Karnataka, India. He was a follower of Madhvacharya's Dvaita philosophy. He was one of the chief founding proponents ...
*''Indu sairisiri'' by
Kanakadasa
Kanaka Dasa (1509–1606) also known as Daasashreshta Kanakadasa (ದಾಸಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ ಕನಕದಾಸ), was a Haridasa saint and philosopher of Dvaita Vedanta, from present-day Karnataka, India. He was a follower of Madhvacharya' ...
Film Songs
Language:
Tamil
Tamil may refer to:
People, culture and language
* Tamils, an ethno-linguistic group native to India, Sri Lanka, and some other parts of Asia
**Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka
** Myanmar or Burmese Tamils, Tamil people of Ind ...
Notes
References
{{Janya
Janya ragas