There are plenty of tevaram, and tiruvacakam songs in this ragam. Papanasham sivan’s “kApAli”, Mysore VAsudEvacariar’s “rA rA rAjIvalOcana”, and aruNAcala kavi’s “En paLLi koNDIrayya” are some of the popular compositions that depict the grandeur of MOhanam. Strangely, we do not have any composition in mOhanam by shyama shastri. Saint Tyagaraja has 11 compositions, that include the immortal classic, “nanu paliMpa”.
Among the trinity, muttusvAmi dIkSitar has six kritis, and all of them bear the rAga mudra for MOhanam (an easy and captivating phrase!). Most composers have contributed generously to Mohanam. The national Anthem of Thailand is set in raga Mohanam.Ĭompositions of all types, heavy, as well as light, exist in this rAgam. This raga is widely used in many countries namely Burma, Thailand, Japan, China. Ancient chinese, japanese, hungarian, swedish, and gypsy music all have traces of Mohanam.This raga claims to possess international melody. This pentatonic scale is, therefore, found in the music of various nations, including primitive tribes. Ramanathan’s doctoral dissertation on the music in shilappadikAram mentions that it is one of the most ancient paNNs. Historically speaking, mOhanam is perhaps the oldest rAgam known to mankind. Heavy classical compositions as well as light ones sound beautiful in this raga. A well tread Mohanam reveals its folkish melodies too. A wide range of emotions like Sringara,Karunya etc can be very well portrayed in this raga. Mohanam is basically a Veera rasapradhana raga. This raga was known as Mullai Pann in ancient times. The ri, ga, pa, dha mUrccanas of mOhanam result in rAgams madhyamAvati, hindOLam, shuddha sAvEri and udayaravicandrika, respectively. All the four notes ri, ga, pa, dha admit graha bhEdam (modal shift of tonic). Gamaka or oscillation make these notes beautiful, and prayogas in the raga aalapana containing these notes with gamaka are really bewitching… Mohanam has the ability to lift up a sagging concert.Ī sarva svara mUrccanakAraka rAgam. Prayogams of the type of “Janta”(dual swaras like gagapapadhadha) and “Datu”(skipping of a swara in between like dhagarigasari) lend great enchantment to the raga and make it very captivating. Raga chaya svarams/Jiva svarams: ri, ga, dha ( Chatusruti Rishabam, Antara Gandharam, Chatusruti Daivatham.) Ancient name of Mohanam is “rEgupti” or “raghupati”. Suitable for singing at all times, but the night time is best suited for this ragam. The beautiful colours and shades of Mohana raga is just brought out in 5 swaras.This raga is called as Bhoop in Hindustani. A janya of the 28th Melakarta Haikambhoji, it is an audava audava raga. Appropriately named for its beauty, rAgam MOHANAM is a very pleasing and enchanting pentatonic scale, that captures the mind of every listener.