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Writer's picturePriya Parthasarathy

Ragam Hemavati in Tamil Film Music

Ragam Hemavati is the 58th Melakartha ragam. It is neither a very popular raga nor a rare one. Many film songs have been composed with the Hemavati raga base albeit with some corruptions of Dharmavathi in the swara structure.


Sangeetha Swarangal is a show that explores Film songs based on Carnatic Ragas. This Navaratri, host Priya Parthasarathy explores 9 different ragas for 9 different days with various artists presenting a classical/semi-classical song in that raga.


The video below features Mrs. Sudha Alwan presenting a Light Classical Number on Madurai Meenakshi. Kondai Mudi Alangariththu originally released in the voice of P. Suseela Amma. Music composed by Somu & Gaja with lyrics penned by Somu.


Popular movie songs in Hemavati are:

1. Kannai Thirandha karunai - Veera

2. Adi Ennadi Ulagam - Aval oru thodarkadhai

3. Aandavanin Thottathile - Arangettram

4. Rathi Devi Sannidhiyil - Oru Veedu Oru Ulagam

5. Mazhai Mazhai - Ullam Ketkume

6. Pallavi Ondru Mannan - Sollaththaan Ninaikkiren


This is controversial but the song "Kalaimagal Kai Porule" from Vasantha Maligai, believed popularly as set in ragam Sivaranjani might be a Hemavati number after all. The swara patterns clearly show a presence of Kaisiki Nishadam and Part Madhyamam which is prevalent in Hemavati compositions.


Watch the video below for a detailed analysis of this ragam and the songs.









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