Amritavarshini
A five-note raga with Prati Madhyama, omitting both Ri and Dha.
Amritavarshini uses just Sa, Ga, Ma, Pa and Ni. Prati Madhyama—the higher Ma—distinguishes its middle register, while Ri and Dha are absent.
Scale
Arohana: S G3 M2 P N3 Ṡ
Avarohana: Ṡ N3 P M2 G3 S
It is conventionally placed under Chitrambari, Melakarta 66. G3 is Antara Gandhara, M2 Prati Madhyama and N3 Kakali Nishada; Sa and Pa are Shadja and Panchama. The parent label is a classification, not a requirement to introduce the parent’s missing Ri or Dha.
Recognising the movement
Listen for the path G3 M2 P and the move from Pa to Ni. Compare Hamsadhwani: it has Ri but no Ma, whereas Amritavarshini has Ma but no Ri. Both omit Dha, yet their melodic centres differ.
Compositions
Muttuswami Dikshitar’s Ānandāmṛtākarṣiṇīm is closely associated with the raga. Its words ask the goddess to bring rain. The rain association is part of the composition’s devotional imagery and tradition, not a physical promise about singing the raga.
Sudhamayi by Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavatar is another composition to explore.