# Kalyani (raga)

Kalyani is a melakarta raga (parent musical scale) in the Carnatic music. It was called Kalyan but is now more popularly called Yaman in Hindustani Music. Its Western equivalent is the Lydian mode.

## Kalyani in Carnatic music

In South Indian weddings it is a very prominently played raga. The word Kalyani means she who causes auspicious things. It is the 65th melakarta raga under the Katapayadi sankhya. It is also called Mechakalyani. The notes for Kalyani are S R$_2$ G$_3$ M$_2$ P D$_2$ N$_3$. Kalyani is the first Prathi Madhyama raga that was ever discovered. It was obtained by the process of Graha Bhedam or modal shift of tonic of the ancient Shadja Grama.

### Specifics on this raga

Kalyani has scope for elaborate alapana. One should not remain too long on panchamam (pa) or alternate between shadjamam and panchamam too frequently. Kalyani is prominently known among the public. It is often performed at the beginning of concerts because it is considered auspicious.

### Structure and lakshana

It is the 5th ragam in the 11th chakra Rudra. The mnemonic name is Rudra-Ma. The mnemonic phrase is sa ri gu mi pa dhi (or 'di') nu. Its arohana-avarohana structure is as follows (see swaras in Carnatic music for details on below notation and terms):
* arohana: S R₂ G₃ M₂ P D₂ N₃ Ṡ
* avarohana: Ṡ N₃ D₂ P M₂ G₃ R₂ S
The notes used in this scale are shadjam, chatushūruti rishabam, antara gandharam, prati madhyamam, chatushruti dhaivatam, kakali nishadam. It is a Sampurna raga in Carnatic music, that is to say, has all the seven notes: Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni. It is the prati madhyamam equivalent of Sankarabharanam, which is the 29th melakarta. This raga is very significant to the chart, because it is sung with all higher notes.

### Janya ragams

Kalyani has many janya ragams (derived scales)associated with it, of which Hamir Kalyani, Mohanakalyani, Amritha Kalyani, Saranga, Nada Kalyani, Sunadavinodini and Yamunakalyani are very popular. See List of Janya Ragams for full list of rāgams associated with Kalyani.

### Related ragams

This section covers the theoretical aspects of Kalyani.
Kalyani's notes when shifted using Graha bhedam, yields 5 other major Melakarta ragams, namely, Hanumatodi, Sankarabharanam, Natabhairavi, Kharaharapriya and Harikambhoji. For further details and an illustration of Graha bhedam of this ragam refer Related ragams section in Sankarabharanam page.

## Popular compositions

Nearly every significant Carnatic composer (including the Trinity of Carnatic music) has composed several pieces in the Kalyani ragam. Kalyani is considered one of the "major" ragams of Carnatic music along with Sankarabharanam, Todi and Kharaharapriya (the set of "major" rāgams is an informal grouping of the most popular Melakarta ragams used for elaboration and exploration, and which often form the centerpiece of a Carnatic music concert in the form of a Ragam Tanam Pallavi (RTP) or a kriti). See Related ragams section for further information on relationships between these ragams. The state anthem of Mysore, Kayou Shri Gowri is also set in this raga. Here is a short list of compositions in Kalyani.
* Nidhi chāla sukhamā, Etavunnārā, Sundari nī Divya, Ammā Rāvammā, Sandehamu Elara, Bhajana Seyave, Nammi Vacchina and Vāsudēvanyani by Tyagaraja
* Ganapathē Mahāmathē, Kumbhēshvarāya Namastē, Abhayāmbā Jagadambā, Śrī Madhurāmbikē, Kamalāmbāṃ Bhajarē ,Bhajarē Re Chittha, Shiva Kāmeshwarīm Chinthayēham by Muthuswami Dikshitar
* Kantimati Karunamrta by Subbarama Dikshitar
* Himādri sutē pāhimaṃ, Birāna varālichi, and Talli Ninnu Nēranammi by Syama Sastri in Telugu
* Adrisutavara, Pankaja lōcana, Pahimaṃ Śrī Vāgīśvari(Navarathri second day krithi), Paripahimamayi, Sarasa Suvadana, Sevesyanandureswara by Swathi Thirunal
* Nannu brovamani cheppave, Bhajare sriramam by Bhadrachala Ramadasu
* kallu sakkare koLLiro (3rd Navaratna Malike), Kelano Hari Talano, Nambi Kettavarillavo Rangayya, Anjikinyatakayya, Dayamado Ranga by Purandara Dasa
* Tiliyado Ninnata By Kalluru Subbannacharya(Vyasa Vitthala Dasa)
* Unnai allal by Papanasam Sivan
* Sadanandame by Koteeswara Iyer
* Mahatripurasundari by Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar
* Tanom nom tara tillana by M Balamurali Krishna

## Film songs

The most popular film composition set in Kalyani is "Mannavan Vandhanadi Thozhi" by K. V. Mahadevan rendered by P. Susheela," and Sindhanai Sei Maname by G. Ramanadhan. M. S. Viswanathan has composed numerous songs in Kalyani such as "Isai Ketal Puvi" from the movie Thavapudhalavan, "Indha Mandrathil" from Policekaran Magal, "Maalai Sudum mananaal" from Nichaya Thamboolam, "Kannan Vandhan" from Ramu, "Azhagennum Oviyam Inge", "Paar Magale Paar", "Varuvan Vadivelan", "Maduraiyil Parandha Meenkodi", "Mugathil Mugam paarkalam". "Amma Endrazhaikkaatha Uyirillaye" by Ilayaraja, "Manmadha Pournami" (P. Susheela) in Panchavankadu by G. Devarajan. The track Kalaivaniye in Sindhu Bhairavi is set in the Kalyani rāgam and sung without an avarohaṇam. The Bharathiar composition Veenai Adi Nee Enakku from the movie Ezhavathu Manithan is set in the Kalyani ragam. The Telugu movie Sankarabharanam has a Shloka "Māṇikya Upalālayanti" set in this ragam. "Aa Nimishathinte" from the Malayalam movie Chandrakantham and "Swarganandini" from Lankadahanam composed by M. S. Viswanathan is set in Kalyani.

### Tamil

| Song | Movie | Composer | Singer |
| "Sindhanai Sei Maname" | Ambikapathy | G. Ramanathan | T. M. Soundararajan |
| "Ennarumai Kadhalikku Vennilaave" | Ellarum Innattu Mannar | T. G. Lingappa | T. M. Soundararajan |
| "Thenunnum Vandu Maamalarai Kandu" | Amara Deepam | T. Chalapathi Rao | A. M. Rajah, P. Susheela |
| "Vennila Vaanil Varum" | Mannippu | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela |
| "Mannavan Vandhaanadi" | Thiruvarutchelvar | K. V. Mahadevan | P. Susheela |
| "Va Va Va Enakkakava" | Selvam | K. V. Mahadevan | Dharapurum Sundarrajan,K. Jamuna Rani |
| "Naan Anuppuvadhu" | Pesum Dheivam | K. V. Mahadevan | T. M. Soundararajan |
| "Kan Pona Pokile" | Panam Padaithavan | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | T. M. Soundararajan |
| "Naan Enna Soliviten" | Bale Pandiya | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | T. M. Soundararajan |
| "Athikkai Kai Kai" | Bale Pandiya | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | T. M. Soundararajan, P. B. Sreenivas, P. Susheela, K. Jamuna Rani |
| "Indha Mandrathil Odi Varum" | Policekaran Magal | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | P. B. Sreenivas, S. Janaki |
| "Kalaimangai Uruvam Kandu" | Maganey Kel | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | Sirkazhi Govindarajan, M. L. Vasanthakumari |
| "Mugathil Mugam Paarkalam" | Thanga Padhumai | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Leela |
| "Vetkamaai Irukudhadi" | Paar Magaley Paar | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | P. Leela, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi |
| "Paar Magale Paar" | Paar Magaley Paar | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | T. M. Soundararajan, M. S. Viswanathan |
| "Maalai Soodum Mananaal" | Nichaya Thaamboolam | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | P. Susheela |
| "Thulli Thirintha" | Kathiruntha Kangal | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | P. B. Sreenivas |
| "Mouname Paarvayaal" | Kodimalar | M. S. Viswanathan | P. B. Sreenivas |
| "Isaikettal Puvi" | Thavapudhalavan | M. S. Viswanathan | T. M. Soundararajan |
| "Madhurayil Parantha" | Poova Thalaiya | M. S. Viswanathan | T. M. Soundararajan |
| "Kettadhum Koduppavane Krishna" | Deiva Magan | M. S. Viswanathan | T. M. Soundararajan |
| "Chithirai Maadham" | Raman Ethanai Ramanadi | M. S. Viswanathan | P. Susheela |
| "Kannan Vandhan" | Ramu | M. S. Viswanathan | Seerkazhi Govindarajan, T. M. Soundararajan |
| "Azhagenum Ooviyam" | Oorukku Uzhaippavan | M. S. Viswanathan | K. J. Yesudas, P. Susheela |
| "Varuvaan Vadivelan" | Varuvan Vadivelan | M. S. Viswanathan | Vani Jairam |
| "Mannulagil Indru Devan " | Punitha Anthoniyar | M. S. Viswanathan | Vani Jairam |
| "Kaaviri Penne Vaazhga" | Poompuhar | R. Sudarsanam | P. Susheela, T. M. Soundararajan |
| "Iravu Mudinthuvidum" | Anbu Karangal | R. Sudarsanam | P. B. Sreenivas,P. Susheela |
| "Pasamalare" | Neethibathi | Gangai Amaran | T. M. Soundararajan, P.Susheela |
| "Tholil Vizhum Maalaye" | Ullathil Nalla Ullam | Gangai Amaran | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki |
| "Then Sindhuthey" | Ponnukku Thanga Manasu | G. K. Venkatesh | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki |
| "Va Kathirukka Neramillai" | Kathirukka Neramillai | Ilaiyaraaja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki |
| "Sundari Kannal Oru Seithi" | Thalapathy | Ilaiyaraaja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki |
| "Yamunai Aatrile" | Thalapathy | Ilaiyaraaja | Mitali Banerjee Bhawmik |
| "Vellai Pura Onru" | Puthukavithai | Ilaiyaraaja | K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki |
| "Kannale Kadhal Kavithai" | Athma | Ilaiyaraaja | K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki |
| "Gangai Aatril Nindrukondu" | Aayiram Nilave Vaa | Ilaiyaraaja | P. Susheela |
| "Vaidhegi Raman" | Pagal Nilavu | Ilaiyaraaja | S. Janaki |
| "Janani Janani" | Thaai Mookaambikai | Ilaiyaraaja | Ilaiyaraaja |
| "Maname Avan Vazhum" | Pagalil Pournami | Ilaiyaraaja | Ilaiyaraaja |
| "Alai Meethu Thadumaruthe" | Anbulla Malare | Ilaiyaraaja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam |
| "Oru Devathai Vandhadhu" | Naan Sonnathey Sattam | Ilaiyaraaja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Asha Bhosle |
| "Nathiyil Aadum" | Kaadhal Oviyam | Ilaiyaraaja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki, Deepan Chakravarthy |
| "Devan Thantha Veenai" | Unnai Naan Santhithen | Ilaiyaraaja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam (Solo Ver), (P. Jayachandran, S. Janaki) (Duet Ver) |
| "Oru Vanavil pole" | Kaatrinile Varum Geetham | Ilaiyaraaja | P. Jayachandran, S. Janaki |
| "Manjal Veyil" | Nandu | Ilaiyaraaja | Uma Ramanan |
| "Devan Kovil Deepam Ondru" | Naan Paadum Paadal | Ilaiyaraaja | S. N. Surendar, S. Janaki |
| "Aararo Aararo" | Anand | Ilaiyaraaja | Lata Mangeshkar |
| "Engirundho Azhaikkum" | En Jeevan Paduthu | Ilaiyaraaja | Lata Mangeshkar |
| "Malaiyoram Mayile" | Oruvar Vaazhum Aalayam | Ilaiyaraaja | Malaysia Vasudevan, K. S. Chitra |
| "Siru Koottile Ulla" | Paandi Nattu Thangam | Ilaiyaraaja | K. S. Chitra, Mano |
| "Naan Embathu Nee Allava" | Soora Samhaaram | Ilaiyaraaja | Arunmozhi, K. S. Chithra |
| "Odai Kuyil Oru" | Thalattu Padava | Ilaiyaraaja | Arunmozhi, K. S. Chithra |
| "Amma Endruzhakatha" | Mannan | Ilaiyaraaja | K. J. Yesudas |
| "Kalaivaniye" | Sindhu Bhairavi | Ilaiyaraaja | K. J. Yesudas |
| "Oru Maalai Chandiran" | Unnai Vaazhthi Paadugiren | Ilaiyaraaja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Minmini |
| "Kaatril Varum Geethame" | Oru Naal Oru Kanavu | Ilaiyaraaja | Ilaiyaraaja, Hariharan, Shreya Ghoshal, Sadhana Sargam, Bhavatharini |
| "Nirpathuve Nadapathuve" | Bharathi | Ilaiyaraaja | Harish Raghavendra |
| "Yaar Veetil Roja" | Idaya Kovil | Ilaiyaraaja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam |
| "Vanthal Mahalakshmi" | Uyarndha Ullam | Ilaiyaraaja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam |
| "Vizhigal Meeno" | Raagangal Maaruvathillai | Ilaiyaraaja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam |
| "Aazh Kadalil" | Raagam Thedum Pallavi | T. Rajendar | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam |
| "Vaigai nathiyil oru Paravai" | Natchathiram | Shankar–Ganesh | S. Janaki |
| "Yaradhu Sollamal Nenjalli" | Nenjamellam Neeye | Shankar–Ganesh | Vani Jairam |
| "Om Ganapathiye Ganapathiye" | Marumagal | Chandrabose | Vani Jairam & Chorus |
| "Putham Puthu Olai" | Vedham Pudhithu | Devendran | K. S. Chithra |
| "Azhagu Nilave" | Pavithra | A. R. Rahman | K. S. Chithra |
| "Varaga Nadhikaraiyoram" | Sangamam | A. R. Rahman | Shankar Mahadevan |
| "Enthan Vaanil" | Kadhal Virus | A. R. Rahman | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Swarnalatha (Humming only) |
| "Kadhal Niagara" | En Swasa Kaatre | A. R. Rahman | Palakkad Sreeram, Harini, Annupamaa |
| "Neethan En Desiya Geetham" | Paarthale Paravasam | A. R. Rahman | P. Balram, K. S. Chitra |
| "Sakthi Kodu" | Baba | A. R. Rahman | Karthik |
| "Methuvagathan" | Kochadaiiyaan | A. R. Rahman | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sadhana Sargam |
| "Ey Maanburu Mangaiye" | Guru | A. R. Rahman | Srinivas, Sujatha Mohan, A. R. Rahman |
| "Yaarumilla Thaniarangil" | Kaaviya Thalaivan | A. R. Rahman | Swetha Mohan, Srinivas |
| "Kathal Ennum Keerthanam" | En Aasai Rasathi | Dr. Chandilyan | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chitra |
| "Aayiram Piravigal" | Aathi Thalam | Hendri Patrick | K. J. Yesudas(Male Vers),K. S. Chitra(Female Vers) |
| "Mudhan Mudhalil" | Aahaa..! | Deva | Hariharan, K. S. Chitra |
| "Yen Nenjamoh" | Santharpam | Deva | Uma Ramanan |
| "Gokulathu kanna" | Gokulathil Seethai | Deva | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chitra, Deva |
| "Enthan Uyire Enthan Uyire" | Unnaruge Naan Irundhal | Deva | Krishnaraj, K. S. Chitra |
| "Katrin Mozhi" | Mozhi | Vidyasagar | Balram, Sujatha Mohan |
| "Pudhu Malar Thottu" | Poovellam Un Vasam | Vidyasagar | Sriram Parthasarathy |
| "Naan Mozhi Arindhen" | Kanden Kadhalai | Vidyasagar | Suresh Wadkar |
| "Oru Theithi Paarthal" | Coimbatore Mappillai | Vidyasagar | Hariharan, Sadhana Sargam |
| "Yen Pennendru" | Love Today | Shiva | Mohammed Aslam, Bombay Jayashri |
| "Kaadhal Aasai" | Anjaan | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Yuvan Shankar Raja, Sooraj Santhosh |
| "Pogadhey Pogadhey" | Deepavali | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Yuvan Shankar Raja |
| "Never let me go" | Pyaar Prema Kaadhal | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Suranjan, Shweta Pandit |
| "Vizhigalin Aruginil" | Azhagiya Theeye | Ramesh Vinayakam | Ramesh Vinayakam |
| "Kannanai Thedi" | Marupadiyum Oru Kadhal | Srikanth Deva | Shreya Ghoshal |
| "Ennena Seidhom Ingu" | Mayakkam Enna | G. V. Prakash Kumar | Harish Raghavendra |
| "Yen Aala Paakkaporaen" | Kayal | D. Imman | Shreya Ghoshal,K.G. Ranjith |
| "Chillendra Chillendra" | Thirumanam Enum Nikkah | Ghibran | Ghibran,Sundar Narayana Rao,Kaushiki Chakrabarty,Munna Shaoukat Ali |
| "Natchathiram Nagargirathu" | Natchathiram Nagargiradhu | Tenma | Arivu, Sharanya Srinivas |

### Malayalam

| Song | Movie | Composer | Lyricist | Singer |
| "Mazhavil Kothumbil" | Adhwaytham | M G Radhakrishnan | Kaithapuram | M G Sreekumar |
| "Mounam Swaramay" | Ayushkaalam | Ousepachan | Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri | KJ Yesudas, KS Chithra |
| "Poonkatinodum" | Poomukhappadiyil Ninneyum Kaathu | Ilaiyaraaja | Bichu Thirumala | K.J. Yesudas , S. Janaki |
| "Polthinkal Kala" | Kumarasambhavam | Devarajan | O.N.V. Kurup | K.J. Yesudas |

## Historical information

Yaman/Aiman is not an ancient raga. It is first mentioned in the literature in the late 16th century, by which time it was very popular: The Sahasras contains 45 dhrupad song-texts for Kalyan and five for Iman-Kalyan. According to Venkatamakhin (1620), Kalyan was a favourite melody to the Arabs, and Pundarika included Yaman among his 'Persian' Ragas.