Brindavana Saranga – Ragapedia 1

Ragapedia is a series of posts I am writing, one Carnatic Raga per post, on my understanding of the ragam, carnatic compositions in that ragam and how it has been dealt with in films. This post is about the ragam Brindavana Saranga, a raga with an appeal to any kind of audience and at any time, in my opinion.

It is the janya of the giant family of Karaharapriya (i.e) 22nd melakartha, with scale as:

Aarohanam: S R2 M1 P N2 S

Avarohanam: S N2 P M1 R2 G2 R2 S / S N2 P M1 R2 S (RGRS is used minimally)

Brindavani and Brindavana Saranga

There was a time once when Brindavana Saranga and Brindavani referred to the same ragam, which had only kaisiki nishadham, says T M Krishna. Now, you will find these two ragas being interchangeably used though some still claim that they are one and the same.

To my understanding, Brindavana Saranga has the usage of only one Ni, kaisiki nishadham. It includes the rarely used prayoga (phrase) RGRS in the avarohanam.

Whereas, Brindavani has SRMPNS / SNPMRS in the scale with kakali Ni while ascending and kaisiki Ni while descending. The most popular thillana of Balamurali Krishna is in the ragam Brindavani.

Brindabani Sarang raag of Hindustani, which was created by Swami Haridas, from its scale description looks like an equivalent of Brindavani than Brindavana Saranga, but since we are not literally equating, I’m not fussing over this detail.

Since film songs derive or is influenced by a raga, you might find a blend of Brindavana Saranga and Brindavani in some.

Carnatic Compositions

This ragam is best suited for post-main part of the concert, though there are pretty heavy classical songs in Brindavana Saranga. Some of them are given below:

• Rangapura Vihara, Sowndara Rajam, Swaminathena Samrakshithoham by Muthuswamy Dikshitar
• Kamalaptha Kula by Thyagaraja
• Ikko Node by Purandara Dasar
• Naalam Vaa, Enta Matramuna (part of the song) by Annamacharya
• Kaliyuga Varadhan by Periyasami Thooran

Listen to…

Below link is my rendition of Aasai Mugam Marandhu Poche by Bharathiyar, a version that is set in Brindavana Saranga, tuned by my dad. Not to be confused with the usual version of this song sung in the ragam Jhonpuri.

Use in Movies

Owing to its pleasing and emotional effect, just like Desh, it has been used / influence used in a lot of movie songs by a lot of music composers. Here is a chronological list of some amazing songs by various music directors.

• G Ramanathan: Singaara Kanne Un from Veerapandiya Kattabomman
• Vishwanathan / Ramamurthy: Pon Ondru Kanden from Padithal Mattum Podhuma
• M S Vishwanathan: Muthukkalo Kangal from Nenjirukkum Varai
• Ilayaraja: Maadathile from Veera
• A R Rahman: Konjum Mainakkale from Kandukonden Kandukonden
• Vidyasagar: Radhai Manadhil from Snehithiye
• Bharadwaj: Ye Samba Ye Samba from Pandavar Bhoomi
• Vijay Antony: Nenjankootil from Dishoom

Pon Ondru Kanden from the movie Padithal Mattum Podhuma is a song where the two men reminisce and describe the women they had met. Though there are multiple cover version available for this song, nothing beats the original. Here goes the original song, enjoy.

Below is a song set in Brindavana Saranga, Hindustani style – Saavan Aaye Ya Naa from the movie Dil Diya Dard Liya, sung by Mohamad Rafi and Asha Bhosle.