Kamavardhani (pronounced kāmavardhini – కామవర్ధిని/ ಕಾಮವರ್ಧಿನಿ/ காமவர்தினி / कामवर्धिनि) is a ragam in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is the 51st Melakarta rāgam in the 72 melakarta rāgam system of Carnatic music. It is also referred by the name Pantuvarāḷi,[1] although purists prefer to designate it as Kamavardhini. It literally means "that which increases desire".

Kamavardhini
ArohanamS R₁ G₃ M₂ P D₁ N₃ 
Avarohanam N₃ D₁ P M₂ G₃ R₁ S

This rāgam is very popular with musicians who typically sing it in the beginning of a concert. It is called Kāshirāmakriya in the Muthuswami Dikshitar school. The Hindustani music equivalent of Kamavardhini is the Poorvi thaat/Puriya Dhanashree.[1][2]

Structure and Lakshana

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Kamavardini scale with Shadjam at C

It is the 3rd rāgam in the 9th chakra Brahma. The mnemonic name is Brahma-Go. The mnemonic phrase is sa ra gu mi pa dha nu.[1] Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure (ascending and descending scale) is as follows (see swaras in Carnatic music for details on below notation and terms):

(the notes in this scale are shuddha rishabham, antara gandharam, prathi madhyamam, shuddha dhaivatham, kakali nishadham)

It is a sampoorna rāgam – a rāgam that has all seven swaras (notes). This rāgam differs from the 15th melakarta rāgam Mayamalavagowla, which is the rāgam taught to a beginner in Carnatic music, only by the madhyamam. Kamavardhani is the prati madhyamam equivalent of Mayamalavagowla.

Janya rāgams

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It has a few minor janya rāgams (derived scales) associated with it. See List of janya rāgams for full list of rāgams associated with it.

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Film Songs

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Language: Tamil

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Song Movie Composer Singer
Amba Manamkanindhu Sivakavi Papanasam Sivan M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Yezhu Swarangalukul(Ragamalika with Sindhubairavi,khamboji) Apoorva Raagangal M. S. Viswanathan Vani Jairam
Neerada Neram Vaira Nenjam
Arpudha Kalaidhan Idhaya Nayagan Deva
Intha Nimisham Hello Hariharan, K. S. Chithra
Thenthoovum Vasandham Vaidehi Kalyanam Mano, K. S. Chithra
Karmegam Oorgolam Pogum Kalamellam Un Madiyil Chandrabose S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Devi Devi Naan Adimai Illai Vijay Anand
Rojavai Thaalattum Ninaivellam Nithya Illayaraja
Theme Music (Violin Concert) Raja Paarvai Various
Kaadhal Ennum Kaaviyam Vattathukkul Chaduram Jikki
Piraye Piraye Pithamagan Madhu Balakrishnan
Om Sivoham Naan Kadavul Vijay Prakash
Theme Music (BGM) Raja Paarvai -
Ninnaichcharan Adainthen Bharathi Bombay Jayashree
Yenna Varam Vendum Nandhavana Theru Mano,Lekha, Sindhu Devi
Sree Ramavaarai Sri Rama Rajyam Chinmayi,Sakyath
Aadum Pambirukuthu(Ragam Panthuvarali touches) Illam P. Jayachandran
Enna Nadakkudhu Saami Maamanithan Muthu Sirpy
Nalla Neram Neram Andha Oru Nimidam S. Janaki
Vazhimel Vizhiyaal Archanai Pookal
Nalam Paaduven Kanmaniye Pesu Raveendran
Hai Rama Rangeela A. R. Rahman Hariharan, Swarnalatha
Athini Sithini Thenali Hariharan, Chitra Sivaraman, Kamal Haasan
Macha Machiniye Star Unni Menon
Oh Nenjame Paasakanal S. A. Rajkumar K. J. Yesudas,Sunandha
Adi kadhal Enpathu Ennavale Hariharan
En Vanam Neethana Dhinamdhorum Oviyan S. P. Balasubrahmanyam,Shenoy Balesh
Or Aayiram Yaanai Nandha Yuvan Shankar Raja P. Unnikrishnan
Amma Endralle Illayaraja
Poovum Malarnthida Swarnamukhi Swararaj S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Swarnalatha
Kangal Theduthey Manathodu Mazhaikalam Karthik Raja Sadhana Sargam, Jassie Gift
Devathaiyai Mannil Jjunction Bharadwaj Srinivas,Reshmi
Or Mirugam Paradesi G. V. Prakash Kumar V. V. Prasanna, Pragathi Guruprasad
Marandhaye Teddy D. Imman Jonita Gandhi , Pradeep Kumar
Enge Ponai Jeeva S. P. Balasubrahmanyamuruprasad]]
Holy sage Instrumental BGM Maan Karate Aniruth
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This section covers the theoretical and scientific aspect of this rāgam.

Kamavardani's notes when shifted using Graha bhedam, yields Kanakangi (the 1st melakarta). Graha bhedam is the step taken in keeping the relative note frequencies same, while shifting the shadjam to the next note in the rāgam. See further details and an illustration of Graha bhedam on Kanakangi.

It tends to sound similar to, and is often mistaken for, another ragam called Purvikalyani.

Notes

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  1. ^ Alternate notations:
    • Hindustani: S  G  P  N 
    • Western: C D E F G A B C
  2. ^ Alternate notations:
    • Hindustani:  N  P  G  S
    • Western: C B A G F E D C

References

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  1. ^ a b c Ragas in Carnatic music by Dr. S. Bhagyalekshmy, Pub. 1990, CBH Publications
  2. ^ Raganidhi by P. Subba Rao, Pub. 1964, The Music Academy of Madras
  3. ^ "Carnatic Songs – engum nirainda paramporuLE (Pv)".