Saveri
A weighty Mayamalavagowla-derived raga with a five-note ascent, a complete descent and strongly ornamented Ri, Dha and Ga.
The sound
Saveri is an old, substantial raga whose compact ascent opens into a seven-note descent. Its notes are not plain scale positions: Ri, Dha and Ga are strongly shaped, and characteristic turns establish the raga.
Scale
| Svara sequence | |
|---|---|
| Ascent — arohana | S R1 M1 P D1 Ṡ |
| Descent — avarohana | Ṡ N3 D1 P M1 G3 R1 S |
Svara key: R1 suddha rishabha, G3 antara gandhara, M1 suddha madhyama, D1 suddha dhaivata, N3 kakali nishada. Parent: Melakarta 15, Mayamalavagowla.
How to recognise Saveri
- Ga and Ni are absent from the usual ascent but return in the full descent.
- The descent shares Mayamalavagowla's pitch order; the restricted ascent and ornamented motion distinguish Saveri from its parent.
- Ri and Dha are especially sensitive to gamaka, so straight equal-tempered playback is only a rough skeleton.
Compositions to know
- Daridapuleka — Tyagaraja
- Tulasi Jagajjanani — Tyagaraja
- Sri Rajagopala — Muttuswami Dikshitar
Related: Melakarta 15 · Svara key · Raga