Hamsadhvani (meaning "the cry of the swan"[1]), is arāga inCarnatic music (musical scale of Carnatic tradition of Indian classical music). It is anaudava rāgam (orowdava rāga, meaning pentatonic scale).[2] It is ajanya rāga of theMelakartha raga,Sankarabharanam (29th) but according to Hamsadhvani's prayoga or the way it is sung it is said to be the janya ofKalyani (65th).
Hamsadhvani does not containmadhyamam ordhaivatham. It is a pentatonic scale (audava-audava ragam[3][5] in Carnatic music classification –audava meaning 'of 5'). Itsārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure (ascending and descending scale) is as follows (seeswaras in Carnatic music for details on below notation and terms):
The notes used in this scale areshadjam, chatushruti rishabham, antara gandharam, panchamam andkakali nishadam. In Hindustani music, it is associated withBilavalthaat (equivalent ofShankarabharanam).
Hamsadhvani rāgam lends itself for elaboration and exploration and has many compositions in both classical music and film music. It is usually sung at the beginning of a performance.[3] There are manykritis (compositions) in praise ofLord Ganesha set in this musical scale.
Jalajaskha anAdi talaVarnam by Mānambuccāvaḍi Venkaṭa Subbayyar
Hamsadhvani's notes when shifted usingGraha bhedam, yields another pentatonic rāgam,Nagasvaravali.Graha bhedam is the step taken in keeping the relative note frequencies same, while shifting theshadjam to the next note in the rāgam. For more details and illustration of this concept referGraha bhedam on Hamsadhvani.
^abcRaganidhi by P. Subba Rao, Pub. 1964, The Music Academy of Madras
^There is no much reference about how the kriti Gajavadana Beduve by Purandaradasa was composed between 1484 - 1564 in the same tune.P.P.Narayanaswami on www.carnatica.net
^Ragas in Carnatic music by Dr. S. Bhagyalekshmy, Pub. 1990, CBH Publications
