Mood of The Raga or the healing powers of the raga Mohana
The raga is known to elevate one’s mood and makes one feel better. It is known to be the most pleasing and enchanting raga out there. It is one of the oldest ragas and comes with many benefits. It is practiced all over the world, and people believe in how healing it actually is. The raga makes you feel better and helps relax your body. It comes in all types, such as you can easily find its heavy classical style as well as a slow, soothing one. The raga is one of the best to feel relaxed and stress-free.
Raaga Mohana
Referred to as a Carnatic Janya raga, Mohana is one of those traditional ragas representing old South Indian music to the modern world. Mohana raga has got its name based on some unique features that make it different from other ragas or fundamental melodic structures. To know more about this Melakarta Janaka and Janya raaga system refer to Janaka Raagas Explained
Every janya raga from the fundamental 72 Melakarta ragas has been created by the combination and permutation of different descending and ascending notes. While the process of deriving janya from Melakartas is a bit complex, the experts have still managed to develop this asymmetric scalar raga that is categorized as an audava-audava raga.
Mohanam is known to be a raga in Carnatic music. It is known to be an audava raga. Moreover, the raga is extremely popular in East Asian as well as South-east Asian music. It is also famous in China as well as Japan. The raga is used in lots of countries out there. These include Burma, China, Thailand, and Japan. Not to add, this raga is also the national anthem of Thailand.
Lakshana and Structure – Aarohana and Avarohana is as follows: –
The raga is one of the most popular and common pentatonic scales all over the world. The raga is known to be a symmetric pentatonic scale that doesn’t really contain any madhyamam as well as nishadham. Have a look down below at its aarohana and avarohana structure down below.
Aarohana : S R₂ G₃ P D₂ Ṡ
Avarohana : Ṡ D₂ P G₃ R₂ S
The different notes used in this scaled include shadjam, chathusruthi rishabham, antara gandharam, panchamam, chathusruthi dhaivatham. Its scale is what makes is truly amazing and simple.
Listen to scale of Mohana Raaga:
Significant Compositions in the Raga
The raga existed in ancient Tamil music. The Hindustani raga called Bhoop is associated with the raga as the two are quite similar. The raga is known to be a veera rasa pradhana raga. It consists of lots of emotions, including Srinagara, Karunya, and more. Moreover, the raga clearly reveals its folkish melodies as well. There are many different compositions of the raga, including heavy classical ones and light ones. All of them are extremely amazing. This raga is the oldest raaga of all time. Many ancient pieces of music like Chinese, Hungarian, Swedish, and Japanese come with some minor traces of mohanam. This is what proves the point that the raga has been there since a long time. The raga is a janya of 28th Melakarta Haikambhoji and is an audava audava raga. The raga was also known as Mullai Pann in old times.
Geetams– Written by Purandara Dasa
- Varaveena Mridupaani
- Ninnu Kori
Kritis
- Rara Rajiva lochana by Mysore Vasudevachar
- Swagatam Krishna by Oottukkadu Venkata Kavi
- Mohana rama, Nannu palimpa, Dayarani, Rama ninnu nammina, Evarura ninnuvina and Bhavanutha by Thyagaraja
- Sada Palaya Sarasakshi by G N Balasubramaniam
Timing of Raga
There is no specific timing of the raga; however, it is perfect for singing at night time. This is due to the reason that the raga is one of the most pleasing and enhancing ones out there. This is the time when you are completely relaxed. After listening to the raga, you will end up feeling a lot better as well.
Mohana Renditions on MusicNamaste Website:
- Varaveena Mridupaani, Raaga Mohana, Taala Roopaka , Composer: Purandara Dasa
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author(s) and do not constitute medical advice or information. Readers are advised to consult healthcare professionals for any medical concerns or information.