Ragamalika, literally a garland of

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 ...

s, is a popular form of composition 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 ...

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 ''r ...

is a popular type of ragamalika composition where the music is set to 9 ragas. Ramaswami Dikshitar is referred to as ''Ragamalika Chakravarti'' (King of Ragamalika) for his varied ragamalika compositions in Telugu. 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 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 derived. A ''melaka ...

ragas.

Compositions

A few examples of ragamalikas are: * ''Manasa Verutarula, Sivamohanasakti nannu, Samajagamana Ninnu Korinadira,'' and ''Ashtottarashata Ragatalamalika'' by Ramaswami Dikshitar * ''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, veena player, and a prolific composer of Indian classical music. He was the youngest member of what is re ...

* ''Valachi Vachi,'' a navaragamalika varnam by Patnam Subramania Iyer * ''Bhavayami(originally only in

Saveri Saveri (pronounced sāvēri) is a Carnatic music ragam. This raga is a janya of the 15th Melakarta raga Mayamalavagowla. This raga brings out karuna rasa, i.e. it brings mood of compassion.''Ragas in Carnatic music'' by Dr. S. Bhagyaleksh ...

but tuned to Ragamalika of many

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

Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer Semmangudi Radhakrishna Srinivasa Iyer (25 July 1908 – 31 October 2003) was an Indian Carnatic vocalist. He was the youngest recipient of the Sangeetha Kalanidhi awarded by the Music Academy in 1947, a distinction he holds to this day a ...

)'' and ''Kamalajasya'' by

Swathi Thirunal Sri Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma III (16 April 1813 – 26 December 1846) was the Maharaja of the Kingdom of Travancore. He was a great musician and composer who has to his credit over 400 classical compositions in both Carnatic and Hindustani st ...

* ''Baro Krishnayya'' 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' ...

* '' Kurai Onrum Illai'' 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 Indian independence ...

References

Carnatic compositions Carnatic ragas {{Carnatic-music-stub