Nattakurinji

Nattakurinji is a raga (musical scale) in Carnatic music. It is a audava janya janya raga of the 28th Melakarta raga Harikambhoji. This raga is considered auspicious to sing in the evenings.^[1] Though rarely used in Hindustani music, it is very popular in Carnatic music.^[1][2][3] The raaga Kurinji belongs to the Melakarta family Shankarabharanam but is relatively rare.^[4]

Nattakurinji is an asymmetric rāgam. It is described as having three types of ascending (arohana) and descending scales (avarohana).^[2] In practice, all 3 types of arohana and avarohana, as well as other usages (prayogas), are found. Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure (one ascending and descending scale) is as follows:^[1]

• ārohaṇa : S R₂ G₃ M₁ N₂ D₂ N₂ P D₂ N₂ Ṡ^[a]
• avarohaṇa : Ṡ N₂ D₂ M₁ G₃ R₂ S^[b]

The notes used in this scale are shadjam, chathusruthi rishabham, antara gandhara, chathusruthi dhaivatham and kaisiki nishadham in the ascending scale, with rishabham excluded in the descending scale. For details of the notations and terms, see swaras in Carnatic music. It is also classified as a "rakti" raga (a raga of high melodic content).

Many compositions are set to Nattakurinji Raga. Some popular compositions include:

Varnams:

• Chalamela Jesevayya, a Padavarnam composed by Mulaivittu Rangasami Nattuvanar
• Swami Naan Undhan Adimai, a Padavarnam by Papanasam Sivan
• Samini Vegame Rammanave, an Ata tala Varnam by Patnam Subramania Iyer
• Sarasakshi, a Misra Chapu tala Varnam by Ponniah Pillai of the Tanjore Quartet

Krithis:

• Alli Nodalu Rama, Manava Nillisuvudu and Prananatha Paliso Nee Enna by Purandara Dasa
• Manasu Vishaya and Kuvalaya Dalanayana composed by Tyagaraja
• Muruga Muruga by Subramania Bharati
• Gajadhishadanyam, Budhamashrayami, Balambikayai Namaste, Shivakami Pathim and Parvati Kumaram by Muthuswami Dikshitar
• Ketum Bhajamyaham by Chidambaram Swarnavenkatesha Dikshitar
• Mayamma Nannu Brovavamma by Shyama Shastri
• Pahi Janani Santatam (Navarathri 8th day krithi), Jagadeesha Sada Mamava, Mamava Sada Varade by Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma
• Pal Vadiyum Mugam by Oothukkadu Venkatasubramanya Iyer
• Ekkalathilum by Ramaswamy Shivan
• Edaunnado, Sriman Narayanathe and Vande Shantham Hanumantham by Bhadrachala Ramadasu
• Vazhi Maraithirukudhe by Gopalakrishna Bharati
• Needu Murthini by Pallavi Gopala Iyer
• Kandan Seyalanro by Dr. Lalgudi Jayaraman
• En Intha Thaamadham by Neelakanta Sivan
• Nakabhaya Varamosagi by G. N. Balasubramaniam
• Na Cheyi Vidavakura by Mysore Vasudevachar
• Tharu Maru Ladeveme (Javali) by Pattabhiramayya
• Sukhamo Devi (Padam) from the Lavanasuravadham (Killing of Lavanasura) by Amritha Shastrigal

The song Kannamoochi yenada in the movie Kandukondain Kandukondain is not entirely composed in this ragam; only the initial portion of the song is composed in Nattakurinj, while the latter half is composed in Sahana.^[5]