Nata (raga)
Nata (nāṭa) is a rāgam in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music), sometimes spelled Nattai. It is a janya rāgam (derived scale) from the 36th melakarta scale Chalanata. It is a janya scale, as it does not have all the seven swaras (musical notes) in the descending scale. It is a combination of the sampurna raga scale Chalanata and the pentatonic scale Gambhiranata.[1][2] It is an auspicious raga, which is mostly sung in the early part of the concert.[1]
| Arohanam | S R₃ G₃ M₁ P D₃ N₃ Ṡ |
|---|---|
| Avarohanam | Ṡ N₃ P M₁ R₃ S |
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There is a raaga named Nata in Hindusthani music as well, and another raaga named Shuddha Nat. But they are sung rarely, and have no association with the Nattai of Carnatic Music.[3]
Structure of Lakshana
Nata is an ASYMMETRIC rāgam that does not contain gandharam and dhaivatam in the descending scale. It is an sampurna-audava rāgam (or owdava rāgam, meaning pentatonic descending scale).[1][2] Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure (ascending and descending scale) is as follows:
- ārohaṇa : S R₃ G₃ M₁ P D₃ N₃ Ṡ[lower-alpha 1]
- avarohaṇa : Ṡ N₃ P M₁ R₃ S[lower-alpha 2]
It is a vivadi raga. The notes used in this scale are shadjam, shatsruthi rishabham, antara gandharam, shuddha madhyamam, panchamam, shatsruthi dhaivatam and kakali nishadham in ascending scale, with dhaivatam and gandharam skipped in descending scale. For the details of the notations and terms, see swaras in Carnatic music.
Popular Compositions
There are many compositions set to Nata rāgam. Many compositions in praise of Lord Ganesha are set to this raga.[1] Here are some popular kritis composed in this ragam.
- Sri Rajadhiraja (Tanavarnam)
- The first Pancharatna Kriti Jagadananda karaka and Ninne Bhajana by Tyagaraja
- Swaminatha paripalaya, Mahaganapathim, Parameswara and Pavanathmajaagachcha by Muthuswami Dikshitar
- The first Thiruppavai Margazhi Thingal by Andal
- Paahi Saure and Jaya Devaki Kishora by Swathi Thirunal
- Umaiyor Bhagane by Papanasam Sivan
- Veda Mathe Veda Vinuthe by Muthiah Bhagavathar
- Pahi Nikhila Janani by Irayimman Thampi
- Sarasijanabha Mam Pahi by Palghat Parameswara Bhagavathar
- Sri Mahaganapathe Surapathe by Mayooram Viswanatha Sasthri
- Kamalambike Mamava Sada by Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar
- Karimukhavarada by G. N. Balasubramaniam
- Sri Gajanana, Sri Padmanabham, Pranathosmi Devam and Re Re Manasa by Thulaseevanam
- Sri Gananatha by Pallavi Sesha Iyer
- Tanthi Ma Mukha by Koteeswara Iyer
- Suryakodi Mamaprabhamakudei by Kutti Kunju Thankachi
- Namo Namo Raghukulanayaka by Annamacharya
- Jaya Jaya Janaki (1st Navaratna Malike), Vandisuvudadiyali by Purandaradasa
- "Ananda Nartana Ganapathim"by Oothukkadu Venkata Kavi
- "Sidhi Arul Siva Sakthi Balagane" by Nilakanta Sivan
Maha Ganapathim by Muthuswami Dikshitar
Film songs
Language: Tamil
| Song | Movie | Composer | Singer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ventriduven Unnai(Ragamalika opening portion only)
Other Ragas : Bhairavi , Thodi , Aarabhi ,Shanmukhapriya , Darbar , Hamsadhwani, Vasantha, Mohanam, Manolayam, Bageshwari, Saranga, Kambothi, Gowri Manohari , Saraswati and Kalyani (16 Ragas) |
Agathiyar | Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan | T. M. Soundararajan, Sirkazhi Govindarajan |
| Maanikkka Theril Maragatha | Thedi Vandha Mappillai | M. S. Viswanathan | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela |
| Mahaganapathim(Traditional Carnatic) | Sindhu Bhairavi | Illayaraja | K.J. Yesudas |
| Mettioli Katrodu | Metti | Illayaraja, S. Janaki(Humming only) | |
| Kavithai Kelungal(Ragamalika) | Punnagai Mannan | Vani Jairam | |
| Aala Asathum | Kanni Rasi | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam | |
| Isai Paadu Nee | Isai Paadum Thendral | S. Janaki | |
| Oh Oh Oh Kaalai Kuyilgale | Unnai Vaazhthi Paadugiren | ||
| Holi Holi | Raasukutti | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki | |
| Innum Ennai (Gambeeranattai with Tilang) | Singaravelan | ||
| Podu Thanthanathom | Nalla Naal | ||
| Panivizhum Malar Vanam (in Chalanattai) | Ninaivellam Nithya | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | |
| Inge Iraivan(In Jog) | Sir.I Love You | Mano, P. Susheela | |
| Nan Deva devi | Thangakkili | Mano, Swarnalatha | |
| Oru Pattampochi | Kadhalukku Mariyadhai | K.J. Yesudas, Sujatha | |
| Naan Ondru Kettal | Ilayaragam | Arunmozhi, K.S. Chitra | |
| Peigaley Nambathey | Mahanadhi | Kamal Haasan, Shanmugasundari | |
| Annai Thanthai(Gambeeranattai) | Are You Ok Baby(2023) | Shweta Mohan | |
| Sandhosha Kannire | Uyire | A. R. Rahman | A. R. Rahman |
| Spiderman | New | Kunal Ganjawala, Sadhana Sargam | |
| Narumugaiye Narumugaiye | Iruvar | P. Unnikrishnan, Bombay Jayashree | |
| Vennila Vennila | Asha Bhosle | ||
| Thom Thom | Alli Thandha Vaanam | Vidyasagar | Hariharan, K.S. Chitra |
| Oru Nimidamaa | Thithikudhe | Tippu,Srivarthini | |
| Thangamagan Indru | Baashha | Deva | K.J. Yesudas, K.S. Chitra |
| Devi Devi | Santharpam | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Uma Ramanan | |
| Katrinile Varum Geetham | Rasigan Oru Rasigai | Raveendran | Vani Jairam |
| Mudhalam Santhippil | Charlie Chaplin | Bharani | P. Unnikrishnan, Swarnalatha |
| Solaigal Ellam | Pookkalai Parikkatheergal | T. Rajendar | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K.S. Chitra |
| Vasantham Paadi Vara | Rail Payanangalil | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki | |
| Valibam Vaazha Sollum | Ullaasam | Karthik Raja | Karthik Raja,Prabhu Deva,Ajith Kumar, Vikram, Maheswari,Shruti Haasan |
| Sogam Eni Ellai | Vaaname Ellai | Maragathamani | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam & Maragadha Mani(Chorus) |
| Uyire Uyire | Vaanam Vasappadum | Mahesh Mahadevan | Hariharan, Ganga |
| Iyengaru Veetu Azhagey | Anniyan | Harris Jayaraj | Hariharan, Harini |
| Chennai Senthamizh (copy of Mahaganapathim) | M. Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi | Srikanth Deva | Harish Raghavendra |
| Karigalan Kala | Vettaikaaran | Vijay Antony | Suchith Suresan,Sangeetha Rajeshwaran |
| Aagayam Kanatha | Unakkum Enakkum | Devi Sri Prasad | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam |
| Jingunamani | Jilla | D. Imman | Ranjith, Sunidhi Chauhan |
| Ammukuttiye | Gemini Ganeshanum Suruli Raajanum | Pradeep Kumar |
Related rāgams
This section covers the theoretical and scientific aspect of this rāgam. chalanattai
Notes
- Alternate notations:
- Hindustani: S G̱ G M P Ṉ N Ṡ
- Western: C D♯ E F G A♯ B C
- Alternate notations:
- Hindustani: Ṡ N P M G̱ S
- Western: C B G F D♯ C
References
- Ragas in Carnatic music by Dr. S. Bhagyalekshmy, Pub. 1990, CBH Publications
- Raganidhi by P. Subba Rao, Pub. 1964, The Music Academy of Madras
- "Cracked Open – the Nats! (Part 1/2)".