Indian Classical Music —Archive

The Archive

A personal archive of Hindustani classical music recordings, organised by raga, artist, instrument, tradition and form.

  • Raga Ahiri

    About the Raga

    Raga Ahiri is a distinctive Carnatic raga known for its deeply expressive and plaintive character. It is associated with compositions that bring out karuna (pathos) and emotional depth. Syama Sastri’s “Mayamma” is among the best-known compositions in Ahiri and is a particularly important piece in the Carnatic repertoire.

    FieldDetails
    RagaAhiri
    ComposerSyama Sastri
    CompositionMayamma
    TalaAdi
    TraditionCarnatic Classical

    About the Artist

    The Alathur Brothers, Alathur Srinivasa Iyer and Alathur Sivasubramania Iyer, were one of the major vocal duos of 20th-century Carnatic music, renowned for their tightly coordinated style and extensive repertoire.

  • Mangalam I & II

    About the Recording

    A short concluding piece from the Alathur Brothers’ Carnatic vocal repertoire. Mangalam traditionally brings a concert to its close and serves as a benedictory or auspicious conclusion.

    FeatureInformation
    ArtistsAlathur Brothers
    FormMangalam
    TraditionCarnatic Classical
    TypeVocal
    DurationShort concluding piece

  • Raga Kambhoji

    About the Raga

    Raga Kambhoji is one of the major ragas of Carnatic music and is a janya of the 28th Melakarta, Harikambhoji. It has a majestic and expansive character and is particularly suited to elaborate melodic treatment. Kambhoji is an important raga in the repertoire of Tyagaraja and other major Carnatic composers.

    RagaKambhoji
    Parent MelakartaHarikambhoji (28)
    JatiShadava–Sampurna
    ArohaS R₂ G₃ M₁ P D₂ S′
    AvarohaS′ N₂ D₂ P M₁ G₃ M₁ R₂ S
    MadhyamaShuddha Madhyama
    TalaAdi
    ComposerTyagaraja

    About the Artist

    The Alathur Brothers, Alathur Srinivasa Iyer and Alathur Sivasubramania Iyer, were one of the distinguished vocal duos of twentieth-century Carnatic music. They were renowned for their precise vocal coordination, mastery of laya and sophisticated treatment of Carnatic compositions.

  • Raga Chakravakam

    About the Raga

    Raga Chakravakam is the 16th Melakarta raga of Carnatic music. It has a distinctive combination of Shuddha Rishabha, Antara Gandhara and Kaisiki Nishada, giving it an expressive and devotional character. It is particularly associated with compositions conveying devotion, introspection and emotional appeal.

    RagaChakravakam
    Melakarta16
    JatiSampurna–Sampurna
    ArohaS R₁ G₃ M₁ P D₂ N₂ S′
    AvarohaS′ N₂ D₂ P M₁ G₃ R₁ S
    MadhyamaShuddha Madhyama
    TalaMisra Chapu
    ComposerTyagaraja

    About the Artist

    The Alathur Brothers, Alathur Srinivasa Iyer and Alathur Sivasubramania Iyer, were one of the distinguished vocal duos of twentieth-century Carnatic music. They were particularly renowned for their rhythmic precision, command of laya and sophisticated presentation of Carnatic compositions.

  • Raga Varali

    About the Raga

    Eti Janmamidi — Varali
    Raga Varali is one of the important ragas of Carnatic music and is traditionally regarded as the 39th Melakarta, Jhankaradhwani? Wait—Varali is actually the 39th Melakarta, Jhalavarali. However, the commonly rendered Varali has its own distinctive melodic treatment and is particularly known for its characteristic use of Gandhara. It has a serious and deeply expressive character and is an important part of the traditional Carnatic repertoire.

    RagaVarali
    Melakarta39 — Jhalavarali
    JatiSampurna–Sampurna
    ArohaS G₁ R₁ G₁ M₂ P D₁ N₃ S′
    AvarohaS′ N₃ D₁ P M₂ G₁ R₁ S
    MadhyamaPrati Madhyama
    TalaMisra Chapu
    ComposerTyagaraja

    About the Artist

    The Alathur Brothers, Alathur Srinivasa Iyer and Alathur Sivasubramania Iyer, were one of the distinguished vocal duos of twentieth-century Carnatic music. They were particularly admired for their command of laya, precise vocal coordination and traditional presentation of complex Carnatic compositions.

  • Raga Harikambhoji

    About the Raga

    Raga Harikambhoji is the 28th Melakarta raga of Carnatic music. It is a major raga with a bright and graceful character and provides the parent scale for several important janya ragas. Harikambhoji is also an important raga in the repertoire of Tyagaraja and other major composers.

    RagaHarikambhoji
    Melakarta28
    JatiSampurna–Sampurna
    ArohaS R₂ G₃ M₁ P D₂ N₂ S′
    AvarohaS′ N₂ D₂ P M₁ G₃ R₂ S
    MadhyamaShuddha Madhyama
    TalaAdi
    ComposerTyagaraja

    About the Artist

    The Alathur Brothers, Alathur Srinivasa Iyer and Alathur Sivasubramania Iyer, were one of the distinguished vocal duos of twentieth-century Carnatic music. They were particularly renowned for their rhythmic precision, mastery of laya and sophisticated presentation of Carnatic compositions.

  • Raga Mandari

    About the Raga

    Raga Mandari is a relatively uncommon janya raga of Carnatic music, known for its distinctive melodic character and compact scale. It is associated with the 65th Melakarta, Mechakalyani, and uses prati madhyama. The raga has a bright yet somewhat unusual tonal colour and is heard principally through compositions and concert renditions.

    RagaMandari
    Parent MelakartaMechakalyani (65)
    JatiJanya
    MadhyamaPrati Madhyama
    TalaChapu
    ComposerPatnam Subramania Iyer

    About the Artist

    The Alathur Brothers, Alathur Srinivasa Iyer and Alathur Sivasubramania Iyer, were one of the great vocal duos of twentieth-century Carnatic music. They were particularly admired for their precise rendering of compositions, strong rhythmic command and sophisticated concert presentation.

  • Raga Thodi

    About the Raga

    Raga Thodi is the 8th Melakarta raga of Carnatic music, known for its deeply expressive character and rich use of gamaka. It is one of the major ragas of the Carnatic tradition and offers extensive scope for melodic development and improvisation.

    Dachukovalena (Part 1) — Thodi — Tyagaraja

    Dachukovalena (Part 2) — Thodi — Tyagaraja

    RagaThodi
    Melakarta8 — Hanumatodi
    JatiSampurna–Sampurna
    ArohaS R₁ G₂ M₁ P D₁ N₂ S′
    AvarohaS′ N₂ D₁ P M₁ G₂ R₁ S
    MadhyamaShuddha Madhyama
    TalaMishra Jhampa
    ComposerTyagaraja

    About the Artist

    The Alathur Brothers, Alathur Srinivasa Iyer and Alathur Sivasubramania Iyer, were a celebrated vocal duo of twentieth-century Carnatic music, particularly renowned for their rhythmic precision and sophisticated treatment of complex compositions and Pallavis.

  • Raga Chenjurutti

    About the Raga

    Chenjurutti (also spelled Senjurutti or Chenchurutti) is a janya raga of the 28th Melakarta, Harikambhoji. It has a distinctive vakra movement and is associated with a lighter, expressive character within the Carnatic tradition. The raga has also been used extensively in devotional and traditional compositions.

    RagaChenjurutti
    Parent MelakartaHarikambhoji (28)
    JatiJanya / Vakra
    ArohaD₂ S R₂ G₃ M₁ P D₂ N₂ S′
    AvarohaN₂ D₂ P M₁ G₃ R₂ S N₂ D₂ P D₂ S
    MadhyamaShuddha Madhyama

    About the Artist

    The Alathur Brothers, Alathur Srinivasa Iyer and Alathur Sivasubramania Iyer, were a celebrated Carnatic vocal duo of the twentieth century, known for their rigorous musical training, rhythmic precision and traditional concert presentation.

  • Raga Sindhubhairavi

    About the Raga

    Sindhubhairavi is a widely performed raga in Carnatic music, known for its expressive and devotional character. It is often treated as a flexible raga capable of incorporating several foreign notes and is frequently heard in lighter classical and devotional compositions. Its emotional range makes it particularly effective for concluding portions of concerts.

    RagaSindhubhairavi
    JatiVakra / Varied
    CharacterExpressive, devotional
    TalaAdi
    ComposerPapanasam Sivan
    FormKriti

    About the Artist

    The Alathur Brothers, Alathur Srinivasa Iyer and Alathur Sivasubramania Iyer, were one of the distinguished vocal duos of twentieth-century Carnatic music. They were particularly admired for their precision, rhythmic command and sophisticated presentation of Carnatic compositions.