Though I’m a person with barely any classical music background, I enjoy listening to Carnatic music and songs inspired from ragas. Interestingly, some songs attract me more, and I’ve found out that these are based on particular ragas. This is when I decided to do research on the raga Hamsadhwani, which seems to be the basis of many songs and ‘keerthanas’ that I enjoy listening to and singing. Hamsadhwani is a Carnatic raga, which is derived from the 29th Melakartha raga, the notes Ma (madhyamam) and Dha (Dhaivatham) are missing, making it a pentatonic raga with the five notes or swaras Sa, Ri, Ga, Pa and Ni. The name Hamsadhwani translates to “the sound of swans”, which also suggests that it is a pure and calming raga.
The raga is believed to be auspicious, which also justifies why there are many bhajans or kritis based on it. It is said that the best time to sing this raga is in the evening after sunset. The raga brings inner peace and relaxation with its magically structured notes and progression.
This beautiful raga is not just sung and enjoyed by musicians, it is also used for music therapy in rehabilitation centres due to its healing properties. In this story, it talks about how Hamsadhwani raga helped heal a patient with chronic depression.
The famous Carnatic composition ‘Vatapi Ganapatim’ by Muthuswamy Dikshitar was composed in Hamsadhwani. There are many more classical compositions devoted to Lord Ganesha and other deities that are based on this raga, giving the raga a devotional touch to it.
When it comes to film music, the raga is used in various South Indian compositions as well as in the North Indian songs as the raga has later been adapted to Hindustani music as well. Below are some of the popular film songs based on Hamsadhwani raga:
Malayalam Film Songs in Hamsadhwani
1. ‘Raavil raaga nilaavil’ from the movie ‘Mazhanilaavu’
2. ‘Poovine kandu njan chodichu’ from the movie ‘Mukundetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu’
3. ‘Sree vinayakam’ from the movie ‘Bharatham’
4. ‘Paahi paramporule’ from the movie ‘Vadakkumnathan’
5. ‘Sumuhoorthamaay’ from the movie ‘Kamaladalam’
6. ‘Paaduvaanaay vannu ninte’ from the movie ‘Ezhuthaappurangal’
7. ‘Naadangalaay nee varu’ from the movie ‘Ninnishtam Ennishtam’
8. ‘Aa ragam’ from the movie ‘Kshanakkathu’
9. ‘Raagangale mohangale’ from the movie ‘Thaaraattu’
10. ‘Etho janma kalpanayil’ from the movie ‘Paalangal’
Tamil Film Songs in Hamsadhwani
1. ‘Vellai pookkal’ from the movie ‘Kannathil Muthamittaal’
2. ‘Poovukkul olinthirukkum’ from the movie ‘Jeans’
3. ‘Nenjodu kalanthidu’ from the movie ‘Kaadhal Kondein’
4. ‘Aval appadi onrum’ from the movie ‘Angadi Theru’
5. ‘Dating’ from the movie ‘Boys’
Hindi Film Songs in Hamsadhwani
1. ‘Mere dholna sun’ from the movie ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’
2. ‘Tere mere beech mein’ from the movie ‘Ek Duuje Ke Liye’
To conclude, Hamsadhwani is one of the auspicious ragas in Carnatic music, which is also melodious in nature, making it easily enjoyable by those who are not well versed in classical music. Do give your suggestions and feedback in your comments, and I also welcome you to add more songs to the playlist.
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