Dwijavanti

The scales of Dwijavanti are as follows :

Arohanam  (Ascending) : S R2 M1 G3 M1 P D2 S’
Avarohanam (Descending) : S’ N2 D2 P M1 G3 M1 R2 G2 R2 S N2 D2 N2 S

It is a Janya raga, derived from Harikambhoji (below), 28th on the Melakarta scale.

An ancient raga, it is mentioned even in the Sangita Makaranda, an ancient treatise on music. This raga comes from North India, where it is called Jaijaivanti. For those interested to learn more about the Hindustani version, here is a very good resource. The mood of this raga is intensely devotional. It has been only sparsely used in Carnatic Music. There are two compositions by Muthuswami Dikshithar which stand out above all else – Akhilandeshwari and Cheta Sri Balakrishnam. Listeners may also be familiar with Swathi Thirunal’s Tarunai Nan Endu and the beautiful Thillana by Lalgudi Jayaraman.

Note : The 12 notes in the octave are named as below. Please note that C is used as Sa for the sake of simplicity as the scale is relative in Carnatic Music. Also note that the scales paint only a superficial picture of the raga as the gamakas(ornamentations) are a very important part of a raga.