Kalyani in Carnatic music. In South Indian weddings it is a very prominently played raga. The word Kalyani means she who causes auspicious things. It is the 65th melakarta raga under the Katapayadi sankhya. It is also called Mechakalyani. The notes for Kalyani are S R2 G3 M2 P D2 N3. Kalyani is the first Prathi Madhyama raga that was ever discovered. It was obtained by the process of Graha Bhedam or modal shift of tonic of the ancient Shadja Grama.

Specifics on this raga

Kalyani has scope for elaborate alapana. One should not remain too long on panchamam (pa) or alternate between shadjamam and panchamam too frequently. Kalyani is prominently known among the public. It is often performed at the beginning of concerts because it is considered auspicious.

Yaman/Aiman is not an ancient raga. It is first mentioned in the literature in the late 16th century, by which time it was very popular: The Sahasras contains 45 dhrupad song-texts for Kalyan and five for Iman-Kalyan. According to Venkatamakhin (1620), Kalyan was a favourite melody to the Arabs, and Pundarika included Yaman among his 'Persian' Ragas.

Credits : Wikipedia

Kalyani scale with Shadjam at C

It is the 5th ragam in the 11th chakra Rudra. The mnemonic name is Rudra-Ma. The mnemonic phrase is sa ri gu mi pa dhi (or 'di') nu. Its arohana-avarohana structure is as follows :

Arohana: S R2 G3 M2 P D2 N3 S'

Avarohana: S' N3 D2 P M2 G3 R2 S

The notes used in this scale are shadjam, chatushuruti rishabam, antara gandharam, prati madhyamam, chatushruti dhaivatam, kakali nishadam. It is a Sampurna raga in Carnatic music, that is to say, has all the seven notes: Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni. It is the prati madhyamam equivalent of Sankarabharanam, which is the 29th melakarta. This raga is very significant to the chart, because it is sung with all higher notes.

Janya ragams

Kalyani has many janya ragams associated with it, of which Hamir Kalyani, Mohanakalyani, Saranga, Sunadavinodini and Yamuna Kalyani are very popular. See List of Janya Ragams for full list of ragams associated with Kalyani.

Mechakalyani

S R2 G3 M2 P D2 N3 S'

S' N3 D2 P M2 G3 R2 S

Shanthakalyani

S R2 G3 M2 P D2 N3 S'

S' N3 D2 P M2 G3 R2 S

Amritha Kalyani

S G3 M2 P N3 S'

S' N3 D2 P M2 G3 R2 S

Amritha Behag

S M2 G3 P N3 S

D2 N3 D2 M2 G3 S

Aprameya

S R2 M2 P D2 S'

S' N3 D2 M2 G3 M2 R2 S

Bhoopkalyani

S R2 G3 P D2 S'

S' N3 D2 P M2 G3 R2 S

Bhoopali {Hindustani}

S R2 G3 P D2 S'

S' D2 P G3 R2 S

Chandrakantha

S R2 G3 M2 P D2 N3 S'

S' N3 D2 N3 P M2 G3 R2 S

Hameer {Hindustani}

S R2 S G3 M1 D2 N3 D2 S'

S' N3 D2 N3 P G3 M1 D2 M2 P D2 P G3 M1 R2 S (Anya swara* : M1)

Hameer Kalyani

S P M2 P D2 N3 S'

S R2 S P M2 P D2 N3 S'

S R2 S P M2 N3 D2 S N3 S'

S R2 G3 M2 P D2 N3 P D2 P S'

S P M2 P D2 N3 S'

S' N3 D2 P M2 M1 G3 P M1 R2 S'

S N3 D2 P M2 G3 M1 G3 R2 S'

S N3 D2 P M2 G M1 R2 S

S N3 D2 P G3 M1 G3 R2 S'

S N3 D2 P G3 M1 G3 R2 S (Anya swara* : M1 N2)

Hamsakalyani

S R2 G3 P N3 S'

S' N3 D2 P M2 G3 R2 S

Kalyanadayini

S R2 G3 M2 D2 N3 S'

S' N3 D2 M2 G3 R2 S

Kannadamaruva

S G3 M2 P D2 N3 S'

S' N3 D2 P M2 G3 S

Kedar {Hindustani}

S M1 (G3) P D2 N3 S'

S' N3 D2 P M2 P M1 S R2 S (Anya swara* : M1)

Kowmoda

S R2 G3 M2 N3 S'

S' N3 P M2 G3 S

Kunthalashreekanti

S G3 M2 P D2 N3 S'

S' N3 P M2 G3 R2 S

Mohana Kalyani

S R2 G3 P D2 S'

S' N3 D2 P M2 G3 R2 S

Mrganandhana

S R2 G3 D2 N3 S'

S' N3 D2 M2 D2 G3 R2 S

Nada Kalyani

S R2 G3 P N3 S'

S' N3 D2 M2 G3 R2 S

Nandhakalyani

S G3 M2 D2 N3 S'

S' N3 D2 M2 G3 M2 R2 S

Pramodhini

S G3 M2 P D2 S'

S' D2 P M2 G3 S

Rajasadhaka

S R2 G3 P D2 S'

S' N3 P M2 R2 S

Saranga S R2 G3 M2 P D2 N3 S'

S R2 S P M2 P D2 N3 S'

S P M2 P D2 N3 S' S' N3 D2 P M2 R2 G3 M1 R2 S'

S N3 S D2 P M2 R2 G3 M1 R2 S'

S N3 D2 P M2 R2 G3 M1 R2 S (Anya swara* : M1)

Saranga Tarangini

S R2 M2 P D2 N3 S'

S' N3 D2 P M2 R2 S

Shilangi

S G3 M2 P N3 S'

S' N3 P M2 G3 S

Shuddha Sarang {Hindustani}

N3 S R2 M2 P N3 S'

S' N3 D2 P M2 P M1 R2 S N3 S (Anya swara* : M1)

Suddha Koshala

S G3 M2 P S'

S' N3 D2 M2 G3 R2 S

Shyam Kalyan {Hindustani}

N3 S R2 M2 P N3 S' S' 

N3 D2 P M2 P D2 P G3 M1 P G3 M1 R2 S N3 S (Anya swara* : M1)

Sunadavinodini / Hindol of Hindustani

S G3 M2 D2 N3 S'

S' N3 D2 M2 G3 S

Swayambhooshwara Raga

S G3 P S'

S' P G3 S

Vandanadharini

S R2 M2 P D2 S'

S' D2 P M2 R2 S

Yamuna Kalyani / Yaman Kalyan {Hindustani}

S R2 G3 M2 P D2 N3 S'

S' N3 D2 P M2 G3 M1 G3 R2 S (Anya swara* : M1)

The most popular film composition set in Kalyani is 'Mannavan Vandhanadi Thozhi' by K. V. Mahadevan rendered by P. Susheela,' and Sindhanai Sei Maname by G. Ramanadhan. M. S. Viswanathan has composed numerous songs in Kalyani such as 'Isai Ketal Puvi' from the movie Thavapudhalavan, 'Indha Mandrathil' from Policekaran Magal, 'Maalai Sudum mananaal' from Nichaya Thamboolam, 'Kannan Vandhan' from Ramu, 'Azhagennum Oviyam Inge', 'Paar Magale Paar', 'Varuvan Vadivelan', 'Maduraiyil Parandha Meenkodi', 'Mugathil Mugam paarkalam'. 'Amma Endrazhaikkaatha Uyirillaye' by Ilayaraja, 'Manmadha Pournami' (P. Susheela) in Panchavankadu by G. Devarajan. The track Kalaivaniye in Sindhu Bhairavi is set in the Kalyani ragam and sung without an avarohanam. The Bharathiar composition Veenai Adi Nee Enakku from the movie Ezhavathu Manithan is set in the Kalyani ragam. The Telugu movie Sankarabharanam has a Shloka 'Manikya Upalalayanti' set in this ragam. 'Aa Nimishathinte' from the Malayalam movie Chandrakantham and 'Swarganandini' from Lankadahanam composed by M. S. Viswanathan is set in Kalyani.

'Sindhanai Sei Maname' - Ambikapathy - G.Ramanathan - T. M. Soundararajan

'Ennarumai Kadhalikku Vennilaave' - Ellarum Innattu Mannar - T. G. Lingappa - T. M. Soundararajan

'Vennila Vaanil Varum' - Mannippu - S. M. Subbaiah Naidu - T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela

'Mannavan Vandhaanadi' - Thiruvarutchelvar - K. V. Mahadevan - P. Susheela

'Naan Anuppuvadhu' - Pesum Dheivam - K. V. Mahadevan - T. M. Soundararajan

'Kan Pona Pokile' - Panam Padaithavan - ViswanathanRamamoorthy - T. M. Soundararajan

'Naan Enna Soliviten' - Bale Pandiya - ViswanathanRamamoorthy - T. M. Soundararajan

'Athikkai Kai Kai' - Bale Pandiya - Viswanathan Ramamoorthy  - T. M. Soundararajan, P. B. Sreenivas, P. Susheela, Jamuna Rani

'Indha Mandrathil Odi Varum' - Policekaran Magal - Viswanathan Ramamoorthy - P. B. Sreenivas, S. Janaki

'Kalaimangai Uruvam Kandu' - Maganey Kel - Viswanathan Ramamoorthy - Sirkazhi Govindarajan, M. L. Vasanthakumari

'Mugathil Mugam Paarkalam' - Thanga Padhumai -  Viswanathan Ramamoorthy - T. M. Soundararajan, P. Leela

'Vetkamaai Irukudhadi' - Paar Magaley  Paar - Viswanathan Ramamoorthy - P. Leela, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi

'Paar Magale Paar' - Paar Magaley Par - Viswanathan Ramamoorthy  - T. M. Soundararajan, M. S. Viswanathan

'Maalai Soodum Mananaal' - Nichaya Thaamboolam - Viswanathan Ramamoorthy - P. Susheela

'Isaikettal Puvi' - Thavapudhalavan - M. S. Viswanathan - T. M. Soundararajan

'Madhurayil Parantha' - Poova Thalaiya - M. S. Viswanathan - T. M. Soundararajan

'Kettadhum Koduppavane Krishna' - Deiva Magan - M. S. Viswanathan - T. M. Soundararajan

'Chithirai Maadham' - Raman Ethanai Ramanadi - M. S. Viswanathan - P. Susheela

'Kannan Vandhan' - Ramu - M. S. Viswanathan - Seerkazhi Govindarajan, T. M. Soundararajan

'Azhagenum Ooviyam' - Oorukku Uzhaippavan - M. S. Viswanathan - K. J. Yesudas, P. Susheela

'Varuvaan Vadivelan' - Varuvan Vadivelan -  M. S. Viswanathan - Vani Jairam

'Then Sindhuthey' - Ponnukku Thanga Manasu - G. K. Venkatesh - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki

'Sundari Kannal Oru Seithi' - Thalapathy - Ilaiyaraaja - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki

'Yamunai Aatrile' - Thalapathy - Ilaiyaraaja - Mitali Banerjee Bhawmik

'Vellai Pura Onru' - Puthukavithai - Ilaiyaraaja - K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki

'Kannale Kadhal Kavithai' - Athma - Ilaiyaraaja - K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki

'Gangai Aatril Nindrukondu' - Aayiram Nilave Vaa - Ilaiyaraaja - P. Susheela

'Vaidhegi Raman' - Pagal Nilavu - Ilaiyaraaja - S. Janaki

'Janani Janani' - Thaai Mookaambikai - Ilaiyaraaja - Ilaiyaraaja

'Maname Avan Vazhum' - Pagalil Pournami - Ilaiyaraaja - Ilaiyaraaja

'Alai Meethu Thadumaruthe' - Anbulla Malare - Ilaiyaraaja - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam

'Nathiyil Aadum' - Kaadhal Oviyam - Ilaiyaraaja - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki, Deepan Chakravarthy

'Devan Thantha Veenai' - Unnai Naan Santhithen - Ilaiyaraaja - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam (Solo Ver), (P. Jayachandran, S. Janaki) (Duet Ver)

'Oru Vanavil pole' - Kaatrinile Varum Geetham - Ilaiyaraaja - P. Jayachandran, S. Janaki

'Manjal Veyil' - Nandu - Ilaiyaraaja - Uma Ramanan

'Devan Kovil Deepam Ondru' - Naan Paadum Paadal - Ilaiyaraaja - S. N. Surendar, S. Janaki

'Aararo Aararo' - Anand - Ilaiyaraaja - Lata Mangeshkar

'Engirundho Azhaikkum' - En Jeevan Paduthu - Ilaiyaraaja - Lata Mangeshkar

'Malaiyoram Mayile' - Oruvar Vaazhum Aalayam - Ilaiyaraaja - Malaysia Vasudevan, K. S. Chitra

'Siru Koottile Ulla' - Paandi Nattu Thangam - Ilaiyaraaja - K. S. Chitra, Mano

'Naan Embathu Nee Allava' - Soora Samhaaram - Ilaiyaraaja - Arunmozhi, K. S. Chithra

'Odai Kuyil Oru' - Thalattu Padava - Ilaiyaraaja - Arunmozhi, K. S. Chithra

'Amma Endruzhakatha' - Mannan - Ilaiyaraaja - K. J. Yesudas

'Kalaivaniye' - Sindhu Bhairavi - Ilaiyaraaja - K. J. Yesudas

'Oru Maalai Chandiran' - Unnai Vaazhthi Paadugiren - Ilaiyaraaja - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Minmini

'Kaatril Varum Geethame' - Oru Naal Oru Kanavu - Ilaiyaraaja - Ilaiyaraaja, Hariharan, Shreya Ghoshal, Sadhana Sargam, Bhavatharini

'Nirpathuve Nadapathuve' - Bharathi - Ilaiyaraaja - Harish Raghavendra

'Yaar Veetil Roja' - Idaya Kovil - Ilaiyaraaja - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

'Vanthal Mahalakshmi' - Uyarndha Ullam - Ilaiyaraaja - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

'Vizhigal Meeno' - Raagangal Maaruvathillai - Ilaiyaraaja - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

'Aazh Kadalil' - Raagam Thedum Pallavi - T. Rajendar - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

'Pasamalare' - Neethibathi - Gangai Amaran - T. M. Soundararajan, P.Susheela

'Vaigai nathiyil oru Paravai' - Natchathiram - ShankarGanesh - S. Janaki

'Yaradhu Sollamal Nenjalli' - Nenjamellam Neeye - Shankar Ganesh - Vani Jairam

'Om Ganapathiye Ganapathiye' - Marumagal - Chandrabose - Vani Jairam & Chorus

'Putham Puthu Olai' - Vedham Pudhithu - Devendran - K. S. Chithra

'Azhagu Nilave' - Pavithra - A. R. Rahman - K. S. Chithra

'Varaga Nadhikaraiyoram' - Sangamam - A. R. Rahman - Shankar Mahadevan

'Enthan Vaanil' - Kadhal Virus - A. R. Rahman - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Swarnalatha (Humming only)

'Kadhal Niagara' - En Swasa Kaatre - A. R. Rahman - Palakkad Sreeram, Harini, Annupamaa

'Neethan En Desiya Geetham' - Paarthale Paravasam - A. R. Rahman - P. Balram, K. S. Chitra

'Sakthi Kodu' - Baba - A. R. Rahman -  Karthik

'Methuvagathan' - Kochadaiiyaan - A. R. Rahman - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sadhana Sargam

'Ey Maanburu Mangaiye' - Guru - A. R. Rahman - Srinivas, Sujatha Mohan, A. R. Rahman

'Yaarumilla Thaniarangil' - Kaaviya Thalaivan - A. R. Rahman - Swetha Mohan, Srinivas

'Kathal Ennum Keerthanam' - En Aasai Rasathi - Dr. Chandilyan - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chitra

'Mudhan Mudhalil' - Aahaa..! - Deva - Hariharan, K. S. Chitra

'Yen Nenjamoh' - Santharpam - Deva - Uma Ramanan

'Gokulathu kanna' - Gokulathil Seethai - Deva - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chitra, Deva

'Enthan Uyire Enthan Uyire' - Unnaruge Naan Irundhal - -Deva - Krishnaraj, K. S. Chitra

'Katrin Mozhi' - Mozhi - Vidyasagar - Balram, Sujatha Mohan

'Pudhu Malar Thottu' - Poovellam Un Vasam - Vidyasagar - Sriram Parthasarathy

'Naan Mozhi Arindhen' - Kanden Kadhalai - Vidyasagar - Suresh Wadkar

'Oru Theithi Paarthal' - Coimbatore Mappillai - Vidyasagar - Hariharan, Sadhana Sargam

'Yen Pennendru' - Love Today - Shiva - Mohammed Aslam, Bombay Jayashri

'Kaadhal Aasai' - Anjaan - Yuvan Shankar Raja - Yuvan Shankar Raja, Sooraj Santhosh

'Pogadhey Pogadhey' - Deepavali - Yuvan Shankar Raja - Yuvan Shankar Raja

'Never let me go' - Pyaar Prema Kaadhal - Yuvan Shankar Raja - Suranjan, Shweta Pandit

'Vizhigalin Aruginil' - Azhagiya Theeye - Ramesh Vinayakam

'Kannanai Thedi' - Marupadiyum Oru Kadhal - Srikanth Deva - Shreya Ghoshal

'Mun Andhi' - 7aum Arivu - Harris Jayaraj - Karthik, Megha

'Uyire En Uyire' - Thotti Jaya - Harris Jayaraj - Karthik, Bombay Jayashri, Anuradha Sriram

'Ennena Seidhom Ingu' - Mayakkam Enna - G. V. Prakash Kumar

'Yen Aala Paakkaporaen' - Kayal - D. Imman - Shreya Ghoshal, Ranjith

'Sara Sara Saara Kaathu' - Vaagai Sooda Vaa - Ghibran - Chinmayi

'Mazhavil Kothumbil' - Adhwaytham - M G Radhakrishnan - Kaithapuram - M G Sreekumar

'Mounam Swaramay' - Ayushkaalam - Ousepachan - Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri - KJ Yesudas, KS Chithra

'Poonkatinodum' - Poomukapadiyil - Ilaiyaraaja - Bichu thirumala - K.J. Yesudas , S. Janaki

Nearly every significant Carnatic composer (including the Trinity of Carnatic music) has composed several pieces in the Kalyani ragam. Kalyani is considered one of the 'major' ragams of Carnatic music along with Sankarabharanam, Todi and Kharaharapriya (the set of 'major' ragams is an informal grouping of the most popular Melakarta ragams used for elaboration and exploration, and which often form the centerpiece of a Carnatic music concert in the form of a Ragam Tanam Pallavi (RTP) or a kriti). 

Here is a short list of compositions in Kalyani.

Kalyani's notes when shifted using Graha bhedam, yields 5 other major Melakarta ragams, namely, Hanumatodi, Sankarabharanam, Natabhairavi, Kharaharapriya and Harikambhoji.