Mohanam
Also known as: Bhoop, Bhoopali, Mullaipann, Mullai Pann, Regupti
Janya raga of melakarta 28 — audava-audava
Practise Mohanam →Mohanam is a bright, universally appealing audava-audava (pentatonic) raga whose gamaka-laden Ri, Ga, and Dha evoke joy and heroism (Ananda, Vira rasa), while its flexible phrasing also readily conveys Shringara and Karunya, making it a favorite for both weighty and lighthearted compositions.
Gamaka
| Swara | Style | Hold allowed | Oscillation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | steady | yes | — | Shadja is the invariant tonic/adhara anchor and is held steady rather than oscillated, giving repose after excursions to Dhaivata. |
| R | kampita | yes | -45 to 45 cents | Chatusruti Rishabha is a jeeva swara given a gentle kampita oscillation that lends the raga its rakti sweetness. |
| G | kampita | yes | -50 to 50 cents | Antara Gandharam is the most prominent jeeva/nyasa swara, taking a pronounced kampita gamaka and often approached via a dattu leap from Panchama (PG). |
| P | steady | yes | — | Panchamam is a stable graha/nyasa swara that anchors phrases and dattu leaps rather than being oscillated itself. |
| D | kampita | yes | -45 to 45 cents | Chatusruti Dhaivata is a jeeva and graha swara oscillated like Rishabha, marking the melodic peak before descents back to Shadja. |
Common pitfalls
- Rendering Mohanam like its flat Hindustani cousin Bhoop by singing the pentatonic notes plainly without gamaka, when Carnatic practice treats it as a 'sarva svara gamaka' raga demanding oscillation on nearly every note.
- Rushing through Rishabha and Dhaivata without their characteristic kampita oscillation, which flattens the raga's rakti (melodic sweetness).
- Under- or over-oscillating Gandharam; it needs a distinct, fairly wide kampita, and excessive gliding into the P-G dattu can blur the raga's identity if overused.
- Neglecting the idiomatic janta (SS RR GG PP DD) and dattu (skip-note, e.g., D-G-R-S) prayogas that give the raga its characteristic enchantment.
- Since Madhyama and Nishada are absent, inexperienced singers may unintentionally slide through an implied M or N; advanced players (e.g., the GNB school) use such 'anuswara' hints deliberately and sparingly, but uncontrolled use by beginners distorts the raga.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohanam — Confirms arohana/avarohana S R2 G3 P D2 S, audava-audava structure, alternate names Bhoop/Bhoopali (Hindustani) and historical Mullaipann link, Harikambhoji parentage.
- https://sriramv.com/2008/12/04/mohanam/ — States raga is 'sarva svara gamaka varika rakti raga', names Gandhara and Dhaivata as jeeva/life-giving swaras, notes the GNB school's anuswara technique, and gives alternate historical name Regupti; also cites Vira and Ananda as principal rasas.
- https://anuradhamahesh.wordpress.com/carnatic-raga-appreciation/8-mohanam-the-most-pleasing-and-enchanting-raga-truly-jaganmohanam/ — Independently corroborates jeeva swaras Ri/Ga/Dha, nyasa swaras Ga/Pa, graha swaras Ga/Pa/Dha, kampita gamaka on Gandharam, oscillation on R and D, janta/dattu prayogas, and Vira/Shringara/Karunya rasas.
- https://www.ragasurabhi.com/carnatic-music/surabhi-post/post--post0016--myriad-hues-of-ragas-manoharamaana-mohanam.html — Third independent source confirming jeeva swaras Ri/Ga/Da, nyasa swaras Ga/Pa/Da, jantai/dhatu prayoga usage, and Shringara/Veera/Karuna rasa scope.
Parent scale
Mohanam is a janya (derived) raga of the melakarta Harikambhoji (melakarta 28) — it draws its swarasthanas from that parent scale.
Related ragas
Ragas that share Mohanam's family, scale, or swaras: Harikambhoji · Kambhoji · Kedaragowla · Arabhi · Bilahari · Dheerasankarabharanam.