# Abheri

Abheri (pronounced ābhēri) is a raga in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is a Janya raga (derived scale), whose Melakarta raga (parent, also known as janaka) is Kharaharapriya, 22nd in the 72 Melakarta raga system.
Bhimpalasi (or Bheempalas) and Dhanashree of Hindustani music sounds close to Abheri.

## Structure and Lakshana

Abheri is an audava-sampoorna raga. Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure (ascending and descending scale) is as follows (see swaras in Carnatic music for details on below notation and terms):
* ārohaṇa : S G₂ M₁ P N₂ Ṡ
* avarohaṇa : Ṡ N₂ D₂ P M₁ G₂ R₂ S
The swaras in this scale are Chathusruthi Rishabham, Sadharana Gandharam, Suddha Madhyamam, Chathusruthi Dhaivatham and Kaisiki Nishadham.
There are some differing views on swaras in the scale of Abheri. It is considered a Bhashanga raga (scale has an anya swara, that is, a note which is not in the parent melakarta raga, in this case Kharaharapriya raga), with introduction of Suddha Dhiavatham (D1) in some phrases of the raga. A different view is that this raga is a janya of Natabhairavi (which has D1, suddha dhaivatham, in place of D2), with D2 being the anya swara (external note).
The original Abheri had Shuddha Dhaivatam and not Chathushruthi Dhaivatham in the Avarohanam, making it a Janya of Natabhairavi and not Kharaharapriya but was changed due to influences of Hindustani Bhimpalasi into the present form. R. Vedavalli sings the version of Nagumomu with Shuddha Dhaivatam. Today only one Muthuswami Dikshitar Krithi called Veenabheri and Kandha Vandharul of Papanasam Sivan are sung in the original. In fact, all books published before 1960 classify it as a Natabhairavi Janya. Syama Sastri's Ninnuvina Marigalada rendered in Reethigowla was originally composed in the old Abheri with D1. This has been rendered by Vedavalli too. In the 1st half of the 20th century, Nagumomu was also sung with D1 till it changed. As of Muthuswami Dikshitar, he has composed Panchashatpeetha Roopini in modern Abheri which he calls Devagandharam, a separate Raga. It makes sense to sing Nagumomu with D1 as Thyagarajaswami pleads to Rama to not torment him so it gives a more melancholic mood.
In fact, there are 2 separate versions of Abheri which posses D1:
1. The one used by Thyagarajaswami has N2 in Arohanam
Aro: S G2 M1 P N2 S Av: S N2 D1 P M1 G2 R2 S
2. Dikshitar's version has no N2 in Arohanam. He also uses Vakra Prayoga S M1 G2 M1. S G2 M1 and P N2 S Prayogas are not allowed in his variant. N2 S is allowed, perhaps in a P S N2 S Prayoga.
Aro: S M1 G2 M1 P S Av:S N2 D1 P M1 G2 R2 S
This raga is closer to Bageshri as for Bhagyasree Gandharam is sung softly. Thus a subtle difference of Gandhara makes a listener to feel this raga as Bhagyasree.

## Popular compositions

* Nagumomu Ganaleni By Thyagaraja
* Bhajare Re Manasa, Gokula Nilaya Kripalaya By Mysore Vasudevacharya
* Kandha Muruga Varuvaye, a Popular Bhajanai by Pithukuli Murugadas
* Muraliya Nadava keli, Karevaru Ba Manege By Vidyaprasanna Teertha in Kannada
* Ambiga Naa Ninna Nambide, Echarike Echarike, Katiyalli Karavittano By Purandara Dasa
* Pavamana Jagada Prana By Vijaya Dasa
* Angaladolu Ramanadida - (Normally sung in Bhimplasi style) one of the greatest literary works of Kanaka Dasa which tells about the Desire of little Rama
* Veral Veli from Sandham: Symphony Meets Classical Tamil by Composer Rajan written by Kapilar
* Vinabheri By Muthuswami Dikshitar
* Eshwari Rajeshwari By Muthaiah Bhagavatar

## Film songs
### Language: Tamil

| Song | Movie | Year | Composer | Singer |
| Yaanai Thandham Pole | Amarakavi | 1952 | G. Ramanathan, T. A. Kalyanam | M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, P. Leela |
| Thanga Nilavil | Thirumanam | 1958 | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, T. G. Lingappa | A. M. Rajah, Jikki |
| Vaarai Nee Vaarai | Manthiri Kumari | 1950 | G. Ramanathan | Thiruchi Loganathan, Jikki |
| Kannan Mananilayai | Deivathin Deivam | 1962 | G. Ramanathan | S. Janaki |
| Singaravelane Deva | Konjum Salangai | 1962 | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu | S. Janaki |
| Kungumam Piranthathu Marathila | Paattondru Ketten | 1971 | C. Ramchandra | P. B. Sreenivas, P. Suseela |
| Isai Thamizh | Thiruvilaiyadal | 1965 | K. V. Mahadevan | T. R. Mahalingam |
| Kadhalaagi | Thiruvarutchelvar | 1967 | K. V. Mahadevan | T. M. Soundararajan, Master Maharajan |
| Gangai Karai Thottam | Vanambadi | 1963 | K. V. Mahadevan | P. Suseela |
| Komatha Engal Kulamatha | Saraswati Sabatham | 1966 | K. V. Mahadevan | P. Suseela |
| Velodu Vilaiyaadum Murugaiyaa | Chitrangi | 1964 | Vedha | P. Suseela |
| Radhaiyin Nenjame | Kanimuthu Paappa | 1972 | T. V. Raju (Credits Only) | P. Suseela |
| Pazhamuthir Solaiyilae | Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum | 1965 | M. S. Viswanathan | P. Suseela |
| Raagangal Pathinaaru | Thillu Mullu | 1981 | M. S. Viswanathan | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam |
| Poo Malaiyil | Ooty Varai Uravu | 1967 | M. S. Viswanathan | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela |
| Malarnthum Malaradha | Pasamalar | 1961 | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela |
| Thendral Urangiya Podhum | Petra Maganai Vitra Annai | 1958 | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | A M Rajah & P Susheela |
| Anbu Megame | Engamma Sapatham | 1974 | Vijaya Bhaskar | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam |
| Vanil Vazhum | Uruvangal Maralam | 1983 | S. V. Ramanan | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam |
| Kuyile Kavikuyile | Kavikkuyil | 1977 | Illayaraja | S. Janaki |
| Chendoora Poove | 16 Vayathinile | 1977 | Illayaraja | S. Janaki |
| Vasantha Kaala Kolangal | Thyagam | 1978 | Illayaraja | S. Janaki |
| Naatham En Jeevanae | Kaadhal Oviyam | 1982 | Illayaraja | S. Janaki |
| Chinna Chiru Vayathil | Meendum Kokila | 1981 | Illayaraja | K. J. Yesudas, S. P. Sailaja |
| Megam Karukkuthu | Anandha Ragam | 1982 | Illayaraja | K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki |
| Velakku Vetcha | Mundhanai Mudichu | 1983 | Illayaraja | Illayaraja, S. Janaki |
| Engey Enthan Kadhali (also has Kharaharapriya) | Enakkul Oruvan | 1984 | Illayaraja | S P Balasubrahmanyam |
| Poovae Poochudava | Poove Poochooda Vaa | 1985 | Illayaraja | K. J. Yesudas(ver 1), K. S. Chithra (ver 2) |
| Velli Golusu | Pongi Varum Kaveri | 1989 | Illayaraja | Arunmozhi, K. S. Chithra |
| Kallidasan Kannadasan | Soorakottai Singakutty | | Illayaraja | P. Jayachandran, P. Susheela |
| Poonkaaviyam (Natbhairavi in Charanam) | Karpoora Mullai | 1991 | Illayaraja | K. J. Yesudas, P. Suseela, K. S. Chithra |
| Sangathamizh Kaviye (Ragamalika: Abheri, Bageshri, Sumanesa Ranjani) | Manathil Uruthi Vendum | 1987 | Illayaraja | K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra |
| Kuyile Kuyile | En Bommukutty Ammavukku | 1988 | Illayaraja | K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra |
| Dhevadhai Poloru | Gopura Vasalile | 1991 | Illayaraja | Malaysia Vasudevan, Mano, Deepan Chakravarthy, S. N. Surendar |
| Ennai Thottu | Unna Nenachen Pattu Padichen | 1992 | Illayaraja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Swarnalatha |
| Mayilaadum Thoppil | Chinna Pasanga Naanga | 1992 | Illayaraja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki |
| Orellam Un Pattuthan | Orellam Un Pattu | 1991 | Illayaraja | K. J. Yesudas, Swarnalatha(Pathos) |
| En Paattu En Paattu | Poomani | 1996 | Illayaraja | Illayaraja |
| Punnaivana Ponguiyile | Sevanthi | 1994 | Illayaraja | Arunmozhi, Swarnalatha |
| Oorukku | Kummi Paattu | 1999 | Illayaraja | Arunmozhi, Swarnalatha |
| Kanne Yen Kanmaniye | Kavithai Paadum Alaigal | 1990 | Illayaraja | Mano, K. S. Chithra |
| Unn Manasile Paattuthaan | Paandi Nattu Thangam | 1989 | Illayaraja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra |
| Poovendrum Ponne Endrum | Dhuruva Natchathiram | | Illayaraja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra |
| Guruvayurappa | Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal | 1989 | Illayaraja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra |
| Muththamizhe Muththamizhe | Raman Abdullah | 1997 | Illayaraja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra |
| Kumbhabhisekham Koyiluku | Veera Thalattu | 1998 | Illayaraja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra |
| Medhuva Meduva | Annanagar Mudhal Theru | 1988 | Chandrabose | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra |
| Saravana Poikayil | Poramai | 1980 | S.D.Sekar | K. J. Yesudas, B.S.Sasirekha |
| Thanimayile | Sattam Oru Iruttarai | 1981 | Shankar–Ganesh | S. N. Surendar, S. Janaki |
| Vennila Mugham Paduthu | Jyothi Malar | 1986 | Shankar–Ganesh | K. J. Yesudas, Vani Jairam |
| Poove Nee Yaar Solli | Thaniyatha Thagam | | A. A. Raj | Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki |
| Kannodu Kaanbadhellam | Jeans | 1998 | A. R. Rahman | Nithyashree Mahadevan |
| Columbus (more Abheri than Madhyamavati) | Jeans | 1998 | A. R. Rahman | A. R. Rahman |
| Taniye Taniye | Rangeela | 1995 | A. R. Rahman | S. Janaki |
| Muppadhu Nimidam | Parasuram | 2003 | A. R. Rahman | P. Unnikrishnan, Sujatha Mohan |
| Sahana | Sivaji: The Boss | 2007 | A. R. Rahman | Udit Narayan, Chinmayi, A. R. Rahman |
| Pathinettu Vayadhu | Suriyan | 1992 | Deva | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki |
| Sempattu Poove | Purusha Lakshanam | 1993 | Deva | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra |
| Un Marbile Vizhi Moodi(Reused Tune) | Ninaithen Vandhai | 1998 | Deva | K. S. Chithra & chorus |
| Poothirukkum Vaname | Pudhayal | 1997 | Vidyasagar | Hariharan, Uma Ramanan |
| Varai En Thozhiyae | Arasiyal | 1997 | Vidyasagar | S. P. B. Charan, Harini,Shubha Mudgal |
| Malare Oru Varthai | Poomagal Oorvalam | 1999 | Siva | Hariharan, Sujatha Mohan |
| Sollamalae | Poove Unakkaga | 1996 | S. A. Rajkumar | P. Jayachandran, Sujatha, Sunandha |
| Raasa Raasa Unna Vachuruken | Maanasthan | 2004 | S. A. Rajkumar | Hariharan, K. S. Chithra |
| Oru Vaartha Kekka | Ayya | 2005 | Bharadwaj | Sadhana Sargam, KK |
| Pudhu Kadhal | Pudhukottaiyilirundhu Saravanan | 2004 | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Ranjith, Chinmayi |
| Engeyo Paartha | Yaaradi Nee Mohini | 2008 | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Udit Narayan |
| Unakkul Naane | Pachaikili Muthucharam | 2007 | Harris Jayaraj | Bombay Jayashri |
| Oru Murai Parkumbothey Tholainthen | Puli Varudhu | 2007 | Srikanth Deva | Madhu Balakrishnan, Anitha Karthikeyan |
| Kana Kaangiren | Ananda Thandavam | 2009 | G. V. Prakash Kumar | Nithyashree Mahadevan, Shubha Mudgal, Vinita, Uluwissu Santhoshan Suarez |
| Uyire Uyire | Ellame En Kadhali | 1994 | M. M. Keeravani | Mano, K. S. Chithra |
| Ya Ya Yadhava | Devaraagam | 1996 | M. M. Keeravani | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chitra |
| Nee Korinal | 180 | 2011 | Sharreth | Karthik, Shweta Mohan |
| Konjam Thenkasi(Charanam in Nattai) | Thenkasi Pattanam | 2002 | Suresh Peters | K.S. Chitra, Srinivas, Sriram |
| Kannamma | Ispade Rajavum Idhaya Raniyum | 2019 | Sam C. S. | Anirudh Ravichander |

### Language: Hindi

Note that the following songs are tuned in Raag Bhimpalasi, the Hindustani equivalent of Abheri.
| Song | Movie | Composer | Singers |
| "Bina Madhur Madhur Kachhu Bol" | Ram Rajya (1943 film) | Shankar Rao Vyas | Saraswati Rane |
| "Duniya Se Ji Ghabra Gaya" | Laila Majnu(1953 film) | Ghulam Mohammed (composer) | Lata Mangeshkar & Talat Mahmood |
| Ye Na Thi Hamri Kismat | Mirza Ghalib (film) | Ghulam Mohammed (composer) | Suraiya |
| Khilte Hain Gul Yahan | Sharmeelee | Sachin Dev Burman | Kishore Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar |
| Khoya Khoya Chand | Kala Bazar | Sachin Dev Burman | Mohammed Rafi |
| Man Mor Hua Matavala | Afsar(1948 film) | S. D. Burman | Suraiya |
| Tumhi Ne Mujhko Prem Sikhya | Manmohan (film) | Ashok Ghosh | Surendra (actor) & Bibbo (actress) |
| Jhanakar Payala Ki Tose Binati Kare | Nag Devata(1962 film) | S. N. Tripathi | Asha Bhosle |
| Eri Main To Premdivani | Naubahar(1952 film) | Roshan (music director) | Lata Mangeshkar |
| Yeh Zindagi Usiki Hai | Anarkali | C. Ramchandra | Lata Mangeshkar |
| Mere Man Ka Bavara Panchhi | Amardeep (1958 film) | C. Ramchandra | Lata Mangeshkar |
| O Nirdai Pritam | Stree (1961 film) | C. Ramchandra | Lata Mangeshkar |
| Aaj Mere Man Sakhi Bansuri Bajaye Koi | Aan | Naushad | Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus |
| Tere Sadke Balama | Amar (1954 film) | Naushad | Lata Mangeshkar |
| Kuch Dil Ne Kaha | Anupama (1966 film) | Hemant Kumar | Lata Mangeshkar |
| Aa Neele Gagan Tale Pya | Badshah (1954 film) | Shankar–Jaikishan | Lata Mangeshkar & Hemant Kumar |
| Masoom Chehra | Dil Tera Diwana (1962 film) | Shankar–Jaikishan | Lata Mangeshkar & Mohammed Rafi |
| Naino Me Badra Chhaye | Mera Saaya | Madan Mohan | Lata Mangeshkar |
| Naghma-O-Sher Ki Saughaat | Gazal (1964 film) | Madan Mohan | Lata Mangeshkar |
| "Samay O Dhire Chalo" | Rudaali | Bhupen Hazarika | Asha Bhosle |
| "Maine Chand Aur Sitaron Ki" | Chandrakanta(1956 film) | Datta Naik | Mohammed Rafi |
| Main Garibon Ka Dil | Abe-Hayat(1955 film) | Sardar Malik | Hemant Kumar |
| Dil Ke Tukade Tukkade | Dada (1979 film) | Usha Khanna | K. J. Yesudas |
| Hum Katha Sunate (Luv Kush Title Track) | Luv Kush | Ravindra Jain | Kavitha Krishnamurthy, Hemlatha |
| Kanha Re Thoda Sa Pyar De (Krishna Raas Leela) | Shri Krishna | Ravindra Jain | Kavitha Krishnamurthy & Chorus |
| Dil Mein Tujhe Bithake | Fakira | Ravindra Jain | Lata Mangeshkar |
| Bole Mora Kangna | Bandish | Anand-Milind | Alka Yagnik & Kumar Sanu |
| Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast | Mohra | Viju Shah | Udit Narayan & Kavita Krishnamurthy |
| Eli Re Eli | Yaadein (2001 film) | Anu Malik | Hema Sardesai & Alka Yagnik & Kavita Krishnamurti |
| Tu mile Dil khile | Criminal | M.M.Keeravani (a) Maragathamani (a) M.M. Kreem | Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik |
| E Ajnabi | Dil Se.. | A. R. Rahman | Udit Narayan |
| Guzarish (loosely based) | Ghajini | A. R. Rahman | Javed Ali |
| Jiya Re | Jab Tak Hain Jaan | A. R. Rahman | Neeti Mohan |
| Kabhi Kabhi Aditi (loosely baed) | Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na | A. R. Rahman | Rashid Ali |
| Shabba Shabba | Daud (film) | A. R. Rahman | Sonu Nigam & Swarnalatha |
| Kismat se Tum | Pukar | A. R. Rahman | Sonu Nigam & Anuradha Paudwal |
| Radha kaise na jale | Lagaan | A. R. Rahman | Udit Narayan & Asha Bhosle |
| Jiya | Gunday | Sohail Sen | Arijit Singh |
| Galti se Mistake (loosely based) | Jagga Jasoos | Pritam Chakraborty | Amit Mishra, Arijit Singh, Shubhanshu Kesharwani |

### Language: Kannada

| Song | Movie | Year | Composer | Singer | Lyrics |
| Aakashave Bilali Mele | Nyayave Devaru | 1971 | Rajan–Nagendra | P. B. Sreenivas | Chi. Udaya Shankar |
| Aaseya Bhava Olavina Jeeva | Mangalya Bhagya | | Rajan–Nagendra | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | Vijayanarasimha |
| Kangalu Vandane Helive | | | | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki | |
| Viraha Nooru Nooru Taraha | Edakalu Guddada Mele | | | P. Susheela | |
| Baanigondu Elle Ellide | Premada Kaanike | 1976 | Upendra Kumar | Rajkumar | Chi. Udayashankar |
| Karunada Thaayi Sada Chinmayi | Naanu Nanna Hendthi | 1985 | Shankar-Ganesh | S P Balasubramaniam | Hamsalekha |

### Album

| Song | Language | Album | Composer | Lyricist | Singer | Audio Label / Licence to |
| Veral Veli | Tamil | Sandham | Rajan Somasundaram | Kapilar (Kuruntokai 18) | Bombay Jayashri | Rajan Somasundaram |
| Ullam Uruguthayya Muruga | Tamil | Lord Muruga T M Sounder Revival | M S Viswanathan | Vaali | T M Soundararajan | Saregama |
| Azhagendra Sollukku Muruga | Tamil | Lord Muruga T M Sounder Revival | M S Viswanathan | Vaali | T M Soundararajan | Saregama |
| Suvakshoja Kumbham | Sanskrit | Sharada Bhujangam | Mahesh Mahadev | Adi Shankaracharya | Priyadarshini | PM Audios |
| Palisennanu Sri Mahalakshmi | Kannada | Palisennanu Sri Mahalakshmi | Mahesh Mahadev | Purandara Dasa | Priyadarshini | PM Audios |
| Manase Manase | Malayalam | Hridayam | | | | |
| Ghana Sundara | Sanskrit | Jagannath Bhakti Rath Yatra | Siba Prasad Rath | Naresh Chandra Dass | Abhilipsa Panda | Times Music Spiritual |

## Popular Classical Albums on this Raagam

An excellent rendition of this Raaga can be found in one of L. Shankar Albums Raga Aberi. He received a Grammy Nomination for this composition.

## Related rāgams

This section covers the theoretical and scientific aspect of this rāgam.
Abheri's notes when shifted using Graha bhedam, yields 3 other janya rāgams, namely, Mohanakalyani, Kedaragaula and Arabhi (if we consider the Kharaharapriya-based scale). Graha bhedam is the step taken in keeping the relative note frequencies same, while shifting the Shadjam to the next note in the rāgam. In case of Janya ragams, only notes that occur in both ascending and descending scale are taken for this change. For further details and an illustration of Graha bhedam refer Graha bhedam on Sankarabharanam. Abheri has close resemblance to Karnataka—devagandhari and Bhimpalasi. Whether they are essentially same is a matter of debate among the musicologists.