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

Arohanam	S R₂ G₂ M₁ P D₁ N₂ Ṡ
Avarohanam	Ṡ N₂ D₁ P M₁ G₂ R₂ S
Equivalent	Aeolian mode

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

Natabhairavi scale with shadjam at C

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

Language:Kannada

Song	Tunturu Alli Neera Haadu	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.