Māyāmāḷavagauḷa
मायामाळवगौळ
Traditionally the first mela taught, because its śuddha and komal placements let a beginner hear every swarasthāna clearly. Purandara Dāsa set the foundational exercises in this scale, and it remains the grammar of Carnatic pedagogy.
Melakartā number
15
Chakra
Agni · 3rd of chakra
Type
Sampūrṇa · Melakartā
Swarasthāna
S R1 G3 M1 P D1 N3
Also known as
Malahari gauḷa
Hindustani counterpart
Bhairav
Janya rāgas
| Rāga | Note |
|---|---|
| Gauḷa | |
| Malahari | |
| Sāvēri | |
| Bauḷi | |
| Lalitā | |
| Gauḷipantu |
Points of practice
Hear the swarasthānas
This mela exists to teach placement. Sing sarali varisai slowly against the tambura before any gamaka.
Mind the wide steps
R1 to G3 is a leap of three semitones; do not slide through the missing notes.
Compare with Bhairav
Hindustani Bhairav shares this scale but oscillates its komal notes — a useful contrast in gamaka.