Nata (raga)


Nata, also known as Nattai, is a rāgam in Carnatic music. It is a janya rāgam from the 36th melakarta scale Chalanata. It is a janya scale, as it does not have all the seven swaras in the descending scale. It is an auspicious raga, which is mostly sung in the early part of the concert.
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. The closest comparable raga to be the Hindustani equivalent of Carnatic Nattai, is the Raga "Jog", which is believed to be a derivative of the Kafi Thaat.

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. Its structure is as follows:
  • [Arohana|] :
  • [Avarohana|] :
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. Here are some popular kritis composed in this ragam.

Related rāgams

This section covers the theoretical and scientific aspect of this rāgam. chalanattai