Before delving into the Shanmugapriya – carnatic raagam, lets see the divine mythological connect to it. Born out of the blazing anger of Lord Shiva to destroy the arrogant Soorapadman, the handsome Muruga was born. The six-faced Subrahmanya who has been a pauper, a king and the charming lover of Valli and Deivanai. Additionally, he is a god with Tamil prowess, and has the name ‘Tamil Kadavul’ (Tamil God).
Now why are we talking about Dandapani when we are talking about Shanmugapriya? As the name of the Carnatic raagam suggests, it means, the beloved of Shanmuga and the scale that, He loves.
The raga that has that special power to evoke divinity is Shanmukhapriya. – Charlulatha Mani.
About the Raagam
This is the 56th scale of the 72 Carnatic melakarta system consisting of most of the Sampoorna raagams. Sampoorna raagams has a heptatonic scale, composed of all seven swaras (notes). The Muthuswami Dikshitar School of Carnatic Music referred to this scale as Chamaram. Carnatic Music lent this Raagam to Hindustani Music. With all the seven notes present in the raagam, it feels complete and symmetric to the ear.
What do these compositions say?
Many of us know the famous trinity of Carnatic music, Muthuswami Dikshitar, Syama Sastri, and Tyagaraja. They have given many compositions listened and performed by many to this date since the 18th century. Most of the Carnatic compositions are in praise of Lord Muruga and his creator, Lord Shiva.
Arohanam and Avarohanam
The melodic structure of this enchanting raag would be
S r2 g2 m2 p d1 n2
[Chatusruti rishaba, Sadharana gandhara, Prati madhyama, Suddha daivatha and Kaishiki nishada]
This raag is in the tenth chakra, a.k.a., Disi. This chakra covers all directions. It connects the performer and the listener to higher mental realms aiding in sharpening one’s intellect.
Unique Characteristics
This magical raag has Vakram Sanchanram. A zig-zag motion with unexpected twists and turns in its melodic progression is the way in which the raaga is performed. This intriguies its listeners by surprise. In my experience, this full-bodied seven swaras raagam can give you so much scope to explore for many hours. This makes Shanmugapriya an easy listen with complete devotion and tranquillity.
Common and unique Prayogams
The scale uses Prati madhyamam as its defining note. Identifying this raag will be based on the prayogams or usage of these 7 notes sung in a particular manner. Visesha Prayogams would include SGRGMP, MPDNDS, DPDS, SMPNS, MPGGRS. Some of the well-known usages would be skipping notes between the arohanam and avaroham or sustaining the notes S, D, P. Some of the common sancharas in this case would be PMGRS, PDNSRGRSD, NDNDPD. Each prayogam will give a different dimension keeping the audience awe-struck evoking emotions like love, pathos, devotion and happiness.
Did You Know?
The raga that has that special power to evoke divinity is Shanmukhapriya. – Charlulatha Mani.
Famous Classical compositions
When we say Shanmugapriya, the first Carnatic song that comes to mindpops up is ‘Saravana bhava ennum’ by Papanasam Sivan. The song depicts his undue devotion for the Lord, extended by saying the 6-lettered mantra, Sa-ra-va-na-bha-va. The song talks about his birth from the third eye of Lord Shiva (Puram eritha paraman, netri kan udhitha). This song also describe his mercy for his devotees like the cool moon, in the line, Than mathi nigar kuzhal karunai nilavu umizhum.
Another popular hit amongst the Carnatic circle is Siddhi Vinayakam by Muthuswamy Dikshadhar in Sanskrit praising Lord Ganesha. One more famous song would be Valli Nayakane by Muthiah Bhagavatar in Telugu. This song depicts the love story of Valli and her compassionate lover.
Arunagirinadhar
The other crowd-favourite is the Thirupugazh by Arunagirnadhar. He almost gave up on life while the lord saved him by writing the pranavamandhiram, om, on his tongue with his Vel. It is a tough song to perform crafting a unique combination of tongue twisters. It has a 5/4 time signature and the winding notes of the raagam are in ascending order. This gives the listener a feeling of rising to feel the beautiful lyrical marvel.
Famous Cinema compositions
Many film composers have told the story of Muruga, used the protagonist’s name as Shanmuga. One such song is the song between the expressive Sivaji Ganesan and the alluring Padmini. They both in this song speaks a secret love language to each other during the latter’s dance performance. The song is ‘Maraindhirundhu Paarkum’, from the movie, Thillana Mohanambal.
Other Compositions
A few other compositions are
Pazham Neeyappa from Thiruvilaiyadal
Thakita Thadimi from Salangai Oli
Mudhal Kanave from Majnu
Silukku Marame from Paayum Puli
Delve into Shanmugapriya
The unique characteristics of the scale keep your cerebral balance in check. The raaga deals with the mental chakra responsible to connect and access universal knowledge. This raaga also sharpens the intellect of the performer. There are a myriad of emotions that the raagam can instil, some of them being
Bhakti (devotion)
Shringara (beauty)
Karuna (Compassion)
Atbudha (Wonder/Surprise)
Hasya (laughter).
Final Thoughts
For aspiring artists, I feel this raagam is a great scale to alternate your practice lessons. One can use the Shanmugapriya notes with sarali varisai which is normally in Mayamalavagowla raagam. It helped me to helm my knowledge and aided me in concerts to keep my audience mesmerized. Like me, you can explore the scale completely too. You can subconsciously work on your manodharmam skills spinning innovative improvisations as you perfect the scale with hours of practice over time.
The knowledge of Raagam, Thalam Sruthi is a must for all carnatic students. Understanding these three in a detailed manner, will make your music journey more comfortable
FAQs
1. What is the structure of Shanmugapriya Carnatic raagam?
Shadjamam. Chatusruti Rishabham. Sadharana Ghandharam. Prati Madhyamam. Shuddha Deivatham. Kaishaki Nishadham.
These notes are denoted in the keyboard as S R2 G2 M2 P D1 N2.
2. What is the specific trait of Shanmugapriya?
In concerts, you can identify Shanmugapriya raagam, with the Prati Madhyamam that is part of the 2nd half of 72-melakartha system followed in Carnatic. You can also identify it with the zig-zag movement of arohanam and avarohanam in aalapanas while beginning the song and chittaswaram sang before finishing the song.
3. Name some famous film songs that feature Shanmugapriya raagam?
Maraindhiruparkum Marmam from Thillanamohanambal, Etho Ninaivugal from Agal Vilakku, Nalam Vaazha from Marupadiyum, a section of Alaikadal from Ponniyan Selvan I, Vannanilave from Ninaithen Vandhai, Lazy song from Oh Manapenne!, are some of the famous film songs composed in Shanmugapriya.
4. List Top 5 Carnatic compositions in Shanmugapriya raagam?
Compositions like Vilayada idu nerama by TN Bala, Acharavillada nalige by Purandara Dasa, Saravanabhava enum by Papanasam Sivan, Mamava Karunaya by Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma, Vaddane vaaru by Tyagaraja and Mooru Namagala by Gopala Dasa are some songs recognized by Carnatic enthusiasts in concerts.
5. How do we perfect Shanmugapriya raagam?
There are many resources to learn the raagam. One of the best ways is to browse through YouTube looking for Shanmugapriya renditions by Carnatic legends like M. S. Subbulakshmi, K. J. Yesudas, Nithyasree Mahadevan and the list goes on. Another way is to ask your Guru to seek their knowledge on this magical raaga and explore it.
