Amruthavarshini – The Rain Raga

Amrtvarshini, pronounced as Amruthavarshini, translates to the one who showers an immortality elixir called Amrutha. Just like the name, it is extremely pleasant to hear this scale. It is the mix of two words, Amrutha, meaning nectar in Sanskrit and Varshini, meaning the one who gives. Every child who is being taught Amruthavarshini raga brings a smile to both the teacher and the student that feels like the rain.

Lakshana and Notation

The Hindustani equivalent of Amruthavarshini raga is Megh Malhar. A symmetrical pentatonic scale by nature, this easy to identify audava audava raga has five notes excluding the Rishaba and Daivatha. It is the child of the 66th Melakartha raga, Chitambari but can however be derived from other ragas like Kalyani, Gamanashrama or Vishwambari, by leaving the Rishabam and Daivatham from the scale.

The notes or swaras of amruthavarshini raga arohana, avarohana are:

Arohanam : s g3 m2 P n3 S 
Avarohanam : S n3 P m2 g3 s

Note Elaboration

Shadjam, Anthara Gandharam, Prathi Madhyamam, Panchamam and Kakali Nishadham form the framework of amruthavarshini raga notes. Experts say that the Gandharam and Nishadam livens this scale with minimal aalaps that are short, failing which the raga loses its impact. The challenging part of an Amruthavarshini performance is the jumping notes and not falling into its preceding scales like Kalyani.

Legendary Anecdotes of Amruthavarshini

I keep saying that Amruthavarshini is closely related to the rains. But is there a particular reason for it? Yes, thanks to these wonderful anecdotes. I’m going to tell you a couple of stories that make amruthavarshini raga history fascinating.

Saint Muthuswami Dikshithar, who is regarded as one of the legendary composers of Carnatic music, visited Ettayapuram, located in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. It was struck with drought. He went to the nearest temple, sat across the female goddess whom he considered as the all-encompassing Shakthi, and performed Anandamrutha Karshini Amruthavarshini. Legends confirm that the place got almost flooded with rain, when he was singing the Amruthavarshini raga lyrics, Salilam Varshaya Varshaya that means ‘let the rain pour’. It stopped when he replaced the same line with “Sthambaya sthambaya sthambaya”, meaning “Stop, stop, stop”.

Even the puranas signify that Ravana started to play Amruthavarshini raga on his veena after Hanuman set Lanka on fire praying to Lord Varuna, the god of rains to help him save this kingdom from burning into ashes.

Another story talks about Tansen who was asked to prove his musical prowess by singing the raga, Deepak, that is known to increase heat. Tansen took up the challenge knowing that he could burn the king into ashes in seconds, doubting his powerful weapon, his voice. The king’s daughter had learnt Megh Malhar (the Hindustani equivalent of Amruthavarshini) to cool down the atmosphere to save her father. When the oil lamps kept around started to heat up and light on its own in Akbar’s court as the legend performed a powerful song in Deepak raga, everyone got scared and the king’s daughter started to sing Megh Malhar that actually calmed the situation with cool breeze, joy, and peace.

I sometimes find it so overwhelming to learn the origins of ragas, and Amruthavarshini tops that list, so far.

Amruthavarshini Compositions

There are a variety of compositions in this exotic pentatonic scale. However, when someone starts talking about Amruthavarshini my mind starts mumbling Thoongatha Vizhigal Rendu from Agni Nakshatram or the famous Aandaamrutha Karshini Amruthavarshini kriti. Muthuswami Dikshithar’s Anandamrutha Karshini is the most famous of all Amruthavarshini raga compositions

Some of the other notable songs of this scale include Ennai Nee Maravaathe by Dandapani Desikar, the usually miscredited Sarasiruhanayane composed by Saint Thyagaraja, Eesabeku Iddu by Purandara Dasa, Aadi Varuvai Guhane of Punitasri, and Anni Mantramuli Inde Avahinchenu composed by Annamacharya.

Film Compositions of Amruthavarshini Raga

Apart from Prabhu and Amala dancing in a dreamy number of Thoongatha Vizhigal Rendu sung by K.J. Yesudas and S. Janaki, there are a couple of notable tracks. Many composers have used this raga in films of different languages, where there is an element of rain like Mazhaikku Oru Devaney from Sri Raghavendrar composed by Illaiyaraja. Naanthana Naanthana from Ninaithale crafted by Vijay Antony, the melodious Yennuyire composed by D. Imman for the movie, Annaaththe and Aashadham Padumbol from Mazha movie, composed by Raveendran, rendered by K.J. Yesudas are also set in this scale.

Amruthavarshini Healing Properties

Can you guess how Amruthavarshini helps your physical body? You guessed it right – it aids with issues related to heat. Some say that it elevates your liver health and leads to a balanced life as the raga controls the five elements present in the human body. It is also proven to cure severe headaches, indigestion, fatigue and depression.

Apart from relieving patients suffering from high blood pressure. So if you are suffering from any of the above or having a bad day, try listening to a soothing instrumental piece, in violin or flute in this scale, to feel relaxed almost instantly.

Final Thoughts

If you are already learning Carnatic music and thinking of learning kritis from your teacher after completing varnams, Amruthavarshini is a nice raga to explore. Like a hike, this scale has many twists and turns making it interesting to perform whether you are singing, or playing other instruments like Violin, or Veena. Amruthavarshini is going to calm your nerves transporting you into the land of tranquillity.

FAQs

Related Blogs: Harivarasanam Madhyamavathi Raagam