What is Raga Shivaranjani?

Raga Shivaranjani is a late-night raga in Hindustani classical music known for its poignant, soulful, and pathos-filled mood. It is an audava (pentatonic) raga similar to Bhoopali but with komal Ga instead of shuddha Ga.

Key Facts:

Thaat: Kafi

Jaati: Audava-Audava (pentatonic in ascent and descent)

Aroh (Ascending): Sa Re Ga- Pa Dha Sa

Avaroh (Descending): Sa Dha Pa Ga- Re Sa

Vadi (Primary note): Pa

Samvadi (Secondary note): Sa

Time: Seventh prahar (around midnight to 3 a.m.)

Mood/Emotion: Karuna rasa (pathos), wistful and emotional

Pakad (Signature phrase): Sa Re Ga- Pa Dha Sa; Sa Dha Pa Ga- Re Sa

Important notes or usage tips: Avoid Ma and Ni completely; stress the komal Ga in slow, emotive phrases to bring out its melancholic, film-song-friendly character.

Introduction

Sivaranjani - The Raag that gathers Strength from Sadness. This is a very melodious Raag. This Raag is similar to Raag Bhoopali but has Gandhar Komal instead of Shuddha Gandhar as in Bhoopali. Raag Shivaranjani has been also borrowed into Carnatic Music

Which Thaat does Raag Shivaranjani belong To?
Kafi (Dorian mode): Sa Re ga ma Pa Dha ni SA (learn more about thaats here)

Which Swara is Vaadi (Prominent) Swara?
Pa (Pancham) - learn more about saragam here

Which Swara is Samvaadi (Second most prominent) Swara?
Sa (Sadaja)

Which Swaras are prohibitted (virgit) Swaras?
Ma (Madhyam) and Ne (Nishadh)

Which Jaati does Raag Shivaranjani belong to?
Audhava - Audhava (learn more about Jaati of Raag here)

In which prahara is Raag Shivaranjani sung?
Prahar 7 12am to 3am (learn more about Asta Prahara here)

What is the Rasa for Raag Shivaranjani?
Karuna (learn more about Nava Rasa)

Learn to Sing Raag Shivaranjani

Lower Octave - sa re ga ma pa dha ne
Middle Octave - Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ne
High Octave - SA RE GA MA PA DHA NE

Aroh
Sa Re Ga- Pa Dha SA

Avaroh
SA Dha Pa Ga- Re Sa

Sthayi
dha dha Sa Sa Re Ga Pa Dha Pa Ga Re

Sa Re Ga Pa Dha SA Dha Pa Ga Re Sa

dha dha Sa Sa dha dha Re Re

Sa Re Ga Pa

Antara
Pa SA SA SA Dha RE SA SA SA

Pa Dha SA RE GA RE SA RE Dha RE SA

Pa SA SA SA Dha RE SA SA SA

Pa Pa Dha Dha SA SA RE RE GA GA RE RE SA SA Dha Dha SA

Dha SA Dha RE SA Pa Dha Pa SA Dha

Ga Pa Ga Dha Pa Re Ga Re Pa Ga

Sa Re Ga Pa Re Ga Pa Dha Ga Pa Dha SA Pa Dha Pa Dha Pa SA Dha Ga Re Sa

Bollywood Songs
Raag Shivaranjani brings out karuna rasa (pathos) and lends itself for elaboration and exploration. It has many compositions in classical music and in film songs.

Baharon Phul Barsao - (Movie: Suraj)

Banake Kyun Bigada Re - (Movie: Zanjeer)

Dil ke jharokhe mein tujhko bitha kar - (Movie: Bramhachari)