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Mēḷakartā is a collection of fundamental musical scales (ragas) in Carnatic music (South Indian classical music). Mēḷakartā ragas are parent ragas (hence known as janaka ragas) from which other ragas may be derived. In Hindustani music the thaat is the rough equivalent of Melakartā. There are 10 thaats in Hindustani music, though the commonly accepted melakarta scheme has 72 ragas. The html Melakarta playground below is a one-shotted webapp using Meta Muse Spark.
Melakarta Raga Explorer
Welcome to Carnatic Music
Melakarta ragas are the 72 parent scales of Carnatic music. Each raga is a unique combination of 7 notes that creates a specific mood and character. All other ragas are derived from these 72.
What is a Chakra?
The 72 Melakarta ragas are organized into 12 chakras, or groups of 6. Each chakra represents a specific combination of the variable notes Ri and Ga. This system makes it easy to remember and classify ragas.
Where to start?
New to Melakarta? Start with these 4 foundational ragas. They represent common scales used across Indian and Western music, making them easier to recognize:
8. Hanumatodi
Deeply melancholic, meditative. Uses all flattened notes.
15. Mayamalavagowla
Morning raga, devotional. Very popular for beginners.
22. Kharaharapriya
Romantic, versatile. Basis for many popular film songs.
29. Dheerasankarabharanam
Majestic, joyful. Equivalent to Western Major scale.