Introduction
Carnatic music, one of the world’s oldest and most sophisticated musical systems, is built on the foundation of ragas(melodic frameworks). For centuries, students have asked: “How many ragas are there in Carnatic music?” The answer is both fascinating and complex. Unlike Western music, which has fixed scales, Carnatic music operates with hundreds and in theory, even thousands of ragas.
For students exploring online singing lessons, understanding ragas is essential to mastering Carnatic music. In this blog, we’ll dive deep into the origins of Carnatic music, the concept of ragas, their classifications, the number of ragas in existence, newly invented ragas, and even how they compare with Western scales.
“The Origin of Carnatic Music”
Carnatic music traces its roots back over 2000 years, with references in the Natya Shastra by sage Bharata and the Sangita Ratnakara by Sarngadeva. The system we know today was refined in South India, especially during the rule of the Vijayanagara Empire and the Bhakti movement, where saint composers like Purandara Dasa, Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, and Syama Sastri shaped its identity.
While the structure evolved over centuries, the ragam remained at its core. Just as a language needs words to express emotions, Carnatic music uses ragas to communicate moods, colors, and feelings.
What is a Ragam?
A raga (or ragam) is not merely a scale, it is a melodic framework with its own rules, characteristic phrases, ornamentations (gamakas), and emotional flavor (rasa).
A ragam typically consists of:
• Arohana (ascending scale)
• Avarohana (descending scale)
• Jeeva swaras (dominant notes)
• Gamaka patterns (ornamentation styles)
• Rasa (emotional essence, devotion, romance, valor, etc.)
For example, Raga Mohanam uses only five notes (a pentatonic scale), creating a bright and uplifting feeling. On the other hand, Raga Todi is more complex, evoking deep devotion and intensity.
Types of Ragas in Carnatic Music
Ragas can be classified into different categories based on their structure and rigin.
1. Janaka Ragas (Parent Ragas)
Also known as Melakarta ragas, these are the foundational ragas from which others are derived. There are 72 Melakarta ragas, each with a unique combination of notes.
Example: Mayamalavagowla – often the first ragam taught in online music lessons for beginners.
2. Janya Ragas (Derived Ragas)
These ragas are derived from the Melakarta ragas, often by omitting or altering notes. The number of Janya ragas is vast and theoretically infinite.
Example: Mohanam (derived from Harikambhoji), Hamsadhwani, Kapi.
3. Audava, Shadava, Sampoorna Ragas
- Audava → 5 notes
- Shadava → 6 notes
- Sampoorna → 7 notes
Example: Mohanam (Audava), Karnaranjani (Shadava), Kalyani Sampoorna).
4. Vakra Ragas (Zigzag Ragas)
Ragas that don’t follow a straight ascending/descending scale but instead use a “zigzag” note pattern.
How Many Ragas Are There in Total?
Here’s where things get interesting :
- 72 Melakarta ragas are fixed and codified.
- The number of Janya ragas derived from these is uncountable some estimate hundreds to thousands.
- In practical use, around 300–400 ragas are commonly taught and performed in concerts.
Musicologists often say: “Theoretically, ragas are infinite—every new combination of notes, when given identity and emotion, can become a new ragam.”
So, the short answer is: There are 72 Melakarta ragas and thousands of Janya ragas in Carnatic music.
Popular Ragams in modern world of music:
The world of Carnatic music is not static. Over centuries, composers and performers have introduced new ragas to capture different emotions.
Some notable “new” ragas include:
- Charukesi (derived from Melakarta 26) – popularized in film music.
- Hamsanandi – a hauntingly beautiful pentatonic ragam.
- Revathi – used extensively in devotional compositions.
- Hindolam – beloved for its soothing, meditative quality.
- Ranjani & Sriranjani – invented and popularized by composers like G.N. Balasubramaniam.
Even today, contemporary musicians experimenting in carnatic music lessons are blending ragas to invent “fusion ragas” that fit modern aesthetics.
Why Understanding Carnatic Music Ragas is Essential for Students of Online Music Lessons:
For students exploring music through online singing lessons, Carnatic Music ragas serve as the alphabet of melody.
- Improves Voice Training – Singing ragas helps control pitch, breath, and modulation.
- Builds Improvisation Skills – Students learn to create new phrases on the spot.
- Cultural Depth – Learning ragas connects students with centuries of tradition.
- Versatility – Knowledge of ragas enhances fusion with Western, Jazz, or even film music.
Many online platforms today use ragas not only to teach traditional Carnatic music but also to help students create their own compositions.
Conclusion
So, how many ragas are there in Carnatic music? The definitive number is elusive 72 Melakarta ragas form the foundation, but the universe of Janya ragas is practically infinite. What matters most is not the number but the experience the way ragas connect mind, body, and soul through sound.
For students exploring online Carnatic singing lessons, understanding ragas is like unlocking a vast musical dictionary. Each ragam is a unique word, each phrase a sentence, and each song a story waiting to be told.
In the end, Carnatic music’s beauty lies in its infinite possibilities. Every singer, whether in a traditional classroom or learning through online platforms, adds to this living tradition discovering new ragas, reviving old ones, and creating music that transcends time.
