Kalavati or Kalawati is a modern pentatonic Hindustani classical raga. Svaras Re (the second tone) and Ma (the fourth tone) are strictly omitted (Varjya/Varjit). Kalavati belongs to the Khamaj Thaat.

Aroha and avaroha

Ārohana S G P D n S' In the Western scale, assuming S == C, this would roughly translate to: C E G A B♭ c Avarohana S' n D P G S Kalavati uses (komal) ni as a Vakra Svara in Aroha. P D n D S'

Vadi and samavadi

The Vadi is Pa, while the Samvadi is Sa

Pakad or chalan

Komal Ni is weak in Aroha and often dropped: G P D n D S' or S G P D S', but in Tanas G P D n S' is also taken. Komal Ni is also Andolita G P D n~ D P It's also used as G P D n – S' D G P D S n – D P

Organization and relationships

Kalavati is derived from a Carnatic raga (see also Yagapriya). According to J.D. Patki the raga was popularized in Maharashtra by Pandit Rao Nagarkar, Roshan Ara Begum and Gangubai Hangal. B.Subba Rao explains the Carnatic Kalavati as omitting Ga and Ni in aroha and Ni in Avaroha, using komal Re. That would make it closer to raga Jansamohini.

Carnatic music

In Carnatic music, Kalavati is approximated as Valachi or Valaji, and is considered to be S G P D n S/S n D P G S, and a janya of the 28th Melakartha, Harikambhoji.

Bandishes(Compositions) composed in Raag Kalavati

Film songs

Tamil

Behavior

G is often a starting note of a combination: G G P D n D P G. While returning to Sa a descending meend is taken from Ga to Sa Other movements: S, G P, G\S ṇ Ḍ S, S PG P, DP GS, G P D - - D - - n D P, G G P D n~, n D P, G P, G P D n D, nD S', S' G' S' S' G' P' G' S' n D, G P D, n n D P, G D P, G n D, G'\S' n D, n D P G P DP G\S, ṇ Ḍ S - | G P D n S n D P G\S - ||

Samay (time)

Midnight

Historical information

Important recordings

Literature