# Natabhairavi

Naṭabhairavi is a rāgam in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is the 20th melakarta rāgam in the 72 melakarta rāgam system. It corresponds to the Natural minor scale (alias Aeolian mode) of western music system.
Natabhairavi corresponds to the Asavari thaat of Hindustani music. In the Muthuswami Dikshitar school this melakarta is instead known as Nārīrītigowla. Natabhairavi is known to be a rāgam that incites feelings of grandeur and devotion in the listeners.

## Structure and Lakshana

It is the 2nd rāgam in the 4th chakra Veda. The mnemonic name is Veda-Sri. The mnemonic phrase is sa ri gi ma pa dha ni. Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure is as follows (see swaras in Carnatic music for details on the notations used):
* ārohaṇa : S R₂ G₂ M₁ P D₁ N₂ Ṡ
* avarohaṇa : Ṡ N₂ D₁ P M₁ G₂ R₂ S
(this scale uses the notes chatushruti rishabham, sadharana gandharam, shuddha madhyamam, shuddha daivatam, kaishiki nishadam)
It is a sampoorna rāgam - rāgam having all 7 swarams. It is the shuddha madhyamam equivalent of Shanmukhapriya, which is the 56th melakarta.

## Asampurna Melakarta

Nārīrītigowla is the 20th Melakarta in the original list compiled by Venkatamakhin. The notes used in the scale are the same, but the scales have vakra prayoga (zig-zag usage of notes in the ascending and descending scale).
* ārohaṇa: S G₂ R₂ G₂ M₁ N₂ D₁ M₁ N₂ N₂ Ṡ
* avarohaṇa: Ṡ N₂ D₁ M₁ G₂ M₁ P M₁ G₂ R₂ S

## Janya rāgams

Natabhairavi has a number of popular janya rāgams (derived scales) such as Bhairavi,Nagagandhari,Saramati, Jaunpuri, Hindolam (sometimes Hindolam is also associated as a Janya of Hanumatodi), Darbari Kanada and Jayanthasree. See List of janya rāgams for a full list of Natabhairavi's janya rāgams.

## Popular compositions

śrī vallī devasenā pate is a popular composition in Natabhairavi, composed by Papanasam Sivan. Parulaseva by Poochi Srinivasa Iyengar is another well known composition in this rāgam. Upacharamu jeseva, in janya ragam Bhairavi composed by Thyagaraja is also popular.
Muthuswami Dikshitar's composition śrī nīlotpalanāyike is set to Nārīrītigowla.

## Film Songs
### Language:Tamil

| Song | Movie | Composer | Singer |
| Unai Allaal Oru (Saramati ragam) | Raja Mukthi | C. R. Subbaraman | M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar |
| Vinnodum Mugilodum | Pudhaiyal | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | C. S. Jayaraman, P. Suseela |
| Mayakkamma Kalakama | Sumaithaangi | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | P. B. Sreenivas |
| Nilavukku Enmel Ennadi Kobam | Policekaran Magal | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | P. B. Sreenivas |
| Anubhavam Pudhumai | Kadhalikka Neramillai | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | P. B. Sreenivas, P. Susheela |
| Unaku Matum Unaku Matum | Manapanthal | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | P. Suseela |
| Ninaikka Therindha | Anandha Jodhi | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | P. Suseela |
| Ammamma Aadai | Vennira Aadai | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | P. Suseela |
| Chittu Kuruvi | Puthiya Paravai | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | P. Suseela |
| Thendral Varum | Palum Pazhamum | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | P. Suseela |
| Paalum Pazhamum | Palum Pazhamum | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | T. M. Soundararajan |
| Naan Aanaiyitaal | Enga Veettu Pillai | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | T. M. Soundararajan |
| Koduthellam Koduthaan | Padagotti | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | T. M. Soundararajan |
| Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga | Paasam | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | T. M. Soundararajan |
| Engalukum Kaalam Varum | Pasamalar | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela |
| Varathiruparoo(Kuththu Vilakkeria) | Pachhai Vilakku | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela |
| Poojaiku Vandha Malare | Paadha Kaanikkai | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | P. B. Sreenivas, S. Janaki |
| Podhigai Malai Uchiyiley | Thiruvilaiyadal | K. V. Mahadevan | P. B. Sreenivas, S. Janaki |
| Ondru Serndha Anbu | Makkalai Petra Magarasi | K. V. Mahadevan | P. B. Sreenivas, Sarojini |
| Poonthenil Kalanthu | Enippadigal | K. V. Mahadevan | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela |
| Oru Kodiyil Iru Malargal | Kaanchi Thalaivan | K. V. Mahadevan | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Suseela |
| Mayakkamenna | Vasantha Maligai | K. V. Mahadevan | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Suseela |
| Naan Paarthadhile | Anbe Vaa | M. S. Viswanathan | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Suseela |
| Oruvar Meethu | Ninaithadhai Mudippavan | M. S. Viswanathan | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Suseela |
| Budhan Yesu Gandhi | Chandhrodhayam | M. S. Viswanathan | T. M. Soundararajan |
| Kadavul Thantha | Iru Malargal | M. S. Viswanathan | P. Suseela, L. R. Eswari |
| Kaadhalin Pon Veedhiyil | Pookkari | M. S. Viswanathan | T. M. Soundararajan, S. Janaki |
| Anbumalargale | Naalai Namadhe | M. S. Viswanathan | T. M. Soundararajan, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam |
| Kaatrukenna Velli | Avargal | M. S. Viswanathan | S. Janaki |
| Kannan Manam Enna | Vasantha Raagam | M. S. Viswanathan | S. Janaki |
| Dheivam Thantha Veedu | Aval Oru Thodar Kathai | M. S. Viswanathan | K. J. Yesudas |
| Yen Iniya Pon Nilavae | Moodu Pani | Ilaiyaraaja | K. J. Yesudas |
| Aarariroo | Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu | Ilaiyaraaja | K. J. Yesudas |
| Neramithu Neramithu | Rishi Moolam | Ilaiyaraaja | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela |
| Putham Pudhu Kaalai | Alaigal Oivathillai | Ilaiyaraaja | S. Janaki |
| Kannan Vanthu | Rettai Vaal Kuruvi | Ilaiyaraaja | S. Janaki |
| Manthira Punnagaiyo | Manthira Punnagai | Ilaiyaraaja | S. Janaki |
| Ooru Sanam Thoongiruchu | Mella Thirandhathu Kadhavu | Ilaiyaraaja | S. Janaki |
| Raasave Unnai Vida | Aranmanai Kili | Ilaiyaraaja | S. Janaki |
| Adi Poonguyile | Aranmanai Kili | Ilaiyaraaja | Mano, Minmini |
| Ilampani Thuli Vizhum Neram | Aaradhanai(1981 Movie) | Ilaiyaraaja | Manjula Gururaj |
| Kadavul Ullame | Anbulla Rajinikanth | Ilaiyaraaja | Latha Rajinikanth & Chorus |
| Pesa koodathu | Adutha Varisu | Ilaiyaraaja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela |
| Rasathi Unnai | Vaidehi Kathirunthal | Ilaiyaraaja | P. Jayachandran |
| En Jeevan Paduthu | Neethana Andha Kuyil | Ilaiyaraaja | K. J. Yesudas(ver 1)S. Janaki(ver 2) |
| Panivizhum Iravu | Mouna Ragam | Ilaiyaraaja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki |
| Sokkanukku Vaacha | Kaaval Geetham | Ilaiyaraaja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki |
| Pattu Onna | Kumbakarai Thangaiah | Ilaiyaraaja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki |
| Muthumani Muthumani | Adharmam | Ilaiyaraaja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki |
| Sangeetha Megam | Udaya Geetham | Ilaiyaraaja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam |
| Antha Nilava Thaan | Muthal Mariyathai | Ilaiyaraaja | Ilaiyaraaja, K. S. Chitra |
| Vetti Veru Vasam | Muthal Mariyathai | Ilaiyaraaja | Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki |
| Aatthu Mettuley | Gramathu Athiyayam | Ilaiyaraaja | Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki |
| Poombaaraiyil Pottu Vaicha | En Uyir Kannamma | Ilaiyaraaja | Ilaiyaraaja |
| O Butterfly | Meera | Ilaiyaraaja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Asha Bhosle |
| Andhi Mazhai Megam | Nayakan | Ilaiyaraaja | T. L. Maharajan, P. Susheela |
| Sorgathin Vasapadi | Unnai Solli Kutramillai | Ilaiyaraaja | K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra |
| Oru Kiliyin | Poovizhi Vasalile | Ilaiyaraaja | K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra |
| Aasayilae Paathikati | Enga Ooru Kavalkaran | Ilaiyaraaja | P. Susheela, Mano(Pathos only) |
| Ival Oru Ilanguruvi(version 1), Engiruntho (version 2) | Bramma | Ilaiyaraaja | S. Janaki(version 1), S. P. Balasubrahmanyam(version 2) |
| Maniyae Manikuyilae | Nadodi Thendral | Ilaiyaraaja | Mano, S. Janaki |
| Kadhorum Lolakku(Asaveri Ragam) | Chinna Mapillai | Ilaiyaraaja | Mano, S. Janaki |
| Malaikovil Vasaliley(Asaveri Ragam) | Veera | Ilaiyaraaja | Mano, Swarnalatha |
| Sollividu Velli Nilave | Amaidhi Padai | Ilaiyaraaja | Mano, Swarnalatha |
| Vetri Vetri(Asaveri Ragam) | Kattumarakaran | Ilaiyaraaja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra |
| Irandum Ondrodu | Panakkaran | Ilaiyaraaja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra |
| Aasaiya Kathula | Johnny | Ilaiyaraaja | S. P. Sailaja |
| En Vaanilae | Johnny | Ilaiyaraaja | Jency |
| Kaalai Nera Raagamey | Raasave Unnai Nambi | Ilaiyaraaja | K. S. Chithra |
| Thenmadurai Vaigai Nadhi | Dharmathin Thalaivan | Ilaiyaraaja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Malaysia Vasudevan, P. Susheela |
| Vaasakari Veppilaiye | Sirayil Pootha Chinna Malar | Ilaiyaraaja | Arunmozhi, S. Janaki |
| Muthirai Eppodhu | Uzhaippali | Ilaiyaraaja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Kavita Krishnamurthy |
| Suttum Sudar Vizhi | Siraichalai | Ilaiyaraaja | M. G. Sreekumar, K. S. Chithra, Chorus |
| Malliga Mottu | Sakthivel | Ilaiyaraaja | Arunmozhi, Swarnalatha |
| Nee Partha | Hey Ram | Ilaiyaraaja | Hariharan, Asha Bhosle |
| Antha Naal | Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam | Ilaiyaraaja | Vijay Yesudas, Shreya Ghoshal |
| Endha Pennilum | Captain Magal | Hamsalekha | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam |
| Minnalae | May Maadham | A. R. Rahman | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam |
| Chandralekha | Thiruda Thiruda | A. R. Rahman | Annupamaa, Suresh Peters |
| Snegithane Snegithane | Alaipayuthey | A. R. Rahman | Sadhana Sargam, Srinivas |
| Kadhal Sadugudu | Alaipayuthey | A. R. Rahman | S. P. B. Charan, Naveen |
| Porkalam Ange | Thenali | A. R. Rahman | Srinivas, Gopika Poornima |
| New York Nagaram | Sillunu Oru Kaadhal | A. R. Rahman | A. R. Rahman |
| Thalli Pogathey | Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada | A. R. Rahman | Sid Sriram, Dinesh Kanagaratnam, Aparna Narayanan |
| Naan Un Alaginile | 24 | A. R. Rahman | Arijit Singh, Chinmayi |
| Vennilavin Theril | Duet | A. R. Rahman | K. J. Yesudas |
| Chinna Thangam | Cheran Pandiyan | Soundaryan | K. J. Yesudas |
| Yen Ooru Madurapakkam | Vaasalile Oru Vennila | Deva | K. J. Yesudas |
| Othayadi Paadhayile | Aatha Un Koyilile | Deva | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Jikki |
| Chinna Chinna | Senthoorapandi | Deva | Mano, Swarnalatha |
| Sembaruthi Sembaruthi | Vasanthakala Paravai | Deva | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki |
| Oodha Oodha | Minsara Kanna | Deva | Hariharan, Harini |
| Malargale Itho Itho | Theeradha Vilaiyattu Pillai (1982) | Shankar–Ganesh | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Sailaja |
| Pattuvana Rosavam | Kanni Paruvathile | Shankar–Ganesh | Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki |
| Kadhal Vaibhogame | Suvarilladha Chiththirangal | Gangai Amaran | Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki |
| Neeradi Vaa Thenrale | Mangai Oru Gangai | Laxmikant–Pyarelal | S. Janaki, Dinesh, Chorus |
| Valarum Valarum Nilavu | Paasamalargal | V. S. Narasimhan | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sujatha Mohan |
| Ullam Ullam Inbathil | Kadhal Enum Nadhiyinile | Manoj–Gyan | P. Jayachandran, K. S. Chithra |
| Athi Kaalai Kaatre Nillu | Thalaivasal | Bala Bharathi | S. Janaki & chorus |
| Enakoru Snegidhi (Ragam Shivaranjani in charanam) | Priyamaanavale | S. A. Rajkumar | Hariharan, Mahalakshmi Iyer |
| Paarthu Paarthu Kangal | Nee Varuvai Ena | S. A. Rajkumar | S.P.Balasubrahmanyam(Male Version), K. S. Chithra(Female Version) |
| Oru Devathai Vanthu Vittaal | Nee Varuvai Ena | S. A. Rajkumar | Hariharan(Male Vers.),K. S. Chithra(Female Vers.) |
| Marutha Azhagaro | Sundara Purushan | Sirpy | K. S. Chithra |
| Kotta Paakkum | Nattamai | Sirpy | Mano, S. Janaki |
| Pudhu Uravu | Nila Pennae | Vidyasagar | K. J. Yesudas, P. Susheela |
| Nilave Nilave | Nilaave Vaa | Vidyasagar | Vijay, Anuradha Sriram |
| Anbe Sivam | Anbe Sivam | Vidyasagar | Kamal Haasan, Karthik |
| Unnai Paartha | Kaadhal Mannan | Bharadwaj | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam |
| Vaseegara | Minnale | Harris Jayaraj | Bombay Jayashree |
| Vaigasi Nilavae | Unnale Unnale | Harris Jayaraj | Haricharan, Madhushree |
| Vaarayo Vaarayo | Aadhavan | Harris Jayaraj | P. Unnikrishnan, Chinmayi, Megha |
| Mun Paniyaa | Nandha | Yuvan Shankar Raja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Malgudi Subha |
| Malargale Malara Vendam | Pudhukottaiyilirundhu Saravanan | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Bombay Jayashri |
| Thuli Thuli Mazhaiyai | Paiyaa | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Haricharan, Tanvi Shah |
| Irava Pagala | Poovellam Kettuppar | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Hariharan, Sujatha Mohan |
| Nilave Nilave Saregama | Periyanna | Bharani | Hariharan, Sujatha Mohan |
| Thirudiya Idhayathai Thiruppi | Paarvai Ondre Podhume | Bharani | Harish Raghavendra, K. S. Chithra |
| Kadavul Thanda | Maayavi | Devi Sri Prasad | Kalpana, S. P. B. Charan |
| Akkam Pakkam | Kireedam | G. V. Prakash Kumar | Sadhana Sargam |
| Kaathodu Kaathanen | Jail | G. V. Prakash Kumar | Dhanush, Aditi Rao Hydari |
| Oru Killi Oru Killi | Leelai | Satish Chakravarthy | Shreya Ghoshal, Satish Chakravarthy |
| Jilendru Oru Kalavaram | Leelai | Satish Chakravarthy | Satish Chakravarthy |
| Nee Paartha Vizhigal | 3 | Anirudh Ravichander | Vijay Yesudas, Shweta Mohan |
| Kanave Kanave | David | Anirudh Ravichander | Anirudh Ravichander |
| So Baby | Doctor | Anirudh Ravichander | Anirudh Ravichander, Ananthakrrishnan |
| Kaathalae Kaathalae | '96 | Govind Vasantha | Chinmayi, Kalyani Menon, Govind Vasantha |

### Language:Kannada

| Song | Tunturu Alli Neera Haadu | [[Amrutha Varshini|Amrithavaie | Composer | Singerrshini]] | Deva |

## Related rāgams

This section covers the theoretical and scientific aspect of this rāgam.
Natabhairavi's notes when shifted using Graha bhedam, yields 5 other major melakarta rāgams, namely, Kalyani, Sankarabharanam, Hanumatodi, Kharaharapriya and Harikambhoji. For further details and an illustration of Graha bhedam of this rāgam refer Graha bhedam on Sankarabharanam.
Even though Natabhairavi has quite evenly spaced swara sthanas (pitch positions, notes) like the other 5 in this group, it has not found as much importance in concerts. One is likely to find Kalyani, Todi, Sankarabharanam and Karaharapriya as the main ragam in concerts, more often than Natabhairavi by a big count.
Except for madhyamam, all other swara prayoga(usage in practice) resemble Shanmukhapriya. Especially, when one uses the notes from panchamam(P) to gandharam(G₂) in ārohaṇa and vice versa in Avarohana, this ragam can be easily confused to be Shanmukhapriya while actually.