Hemavati (raga)

Hemavati is a ragam in Carnatic music. It is the 58th Melakarta rāgam in the 72 melakarta rāgam system of Carnatic music. The Shuddha Madhyamam equivalent of this raga is Kharaharapriya.
It is called Simhāravam or Deshi Simhāravam in Muthuswami Dikshitar school of Carnatic music. It is beloved especially of nadaswaram vidwans. It is said to be borrowed into Hindustani music from Carnatic music, especially with instrumentalists.

Structure and Lakshana

Hemavati is the 4th rāgam in the 10th chakra Disi. The mnemonic name is Disi-Bhu. The mnemonic phrase is sa ri gi mi pa dhi ni. Its structure is as follows :

[Arohana|]:
[Avarohana|]:

As it is a melakarta rāgam, by definition it is a sampoorna rāgam. It is the prati madhyamam equivalent of Kharaharapriya, which is the 22nd melakarta.

''Janya'' rāgams

Hemavati has a few minor janya rāgams associated with it. See List of janya rāgams to view all rāgams associated with Hemavati.

Compositions

Here are a few common compositions sung in concerts, set to Hemavati.

Nee Sari Saati by Tyagaraja
Sree Kanthimathim, Hariyuvatheem Hymavathim and Madhurambikayam by Muthuswami Dikshitar
Karudhiyadhu Ellam Tharum by N. S. Chidambaram
Ika Talanenura Ina by S. Ramanathan
Ennai Kaatharulvathu and Paripalanai by Papanasam Sivan
Mantrini Maathanga by Harikesanallur Muthaiah Bhagavathar
Jagelara by Vinjamuri Varadaraja Iyengar
Nee Pada Sarasa Rathulaku by Nallanchakravarthula Krishnamacharyulu
Navukkarasanai by M M Dandapani Desikar

Related rāgams

This section covers the theoretical and scientific aspect of this rāgam.
Hemavati's notes when shifted using Graha bhedam, yields 3 other major melakarta rāgams, namely, Keeravani, Vakulabharanam and Kosalam. Graha bhedam is the step taken in keeping the relative note frequencies same, while shifting the shadjam to the next note in the rāgam. For further details and an illustration refer Graha bhedam on Keeravani.
In Western music, Hemavati corresponds to Ukrainian Dorian scale.