Kānaḍa

How to hear it

Life notes / jeeva

Gandhara (G2) is the raga's defining/identity note (singing it alone would suffice); the rishabha (R2) is cited as the jiva svara of the mela-22 family.

Resting notes / nyasa

Beyond the universal Shadja (S) and Panchama (P), the distinctive nyasa svaras are Rishabha (R2), Gandhara (G2) and Dhaivata (D2).

Signature phrases / prayoga

sa ni pa, dha ni pa, ma pa ga, sa ri pa ga, ni sa dha; special phrases SRSSNNPM, NDPDPPMG, MRGMP, SDPD; the signature G M R S (also G M P G M R S). Arohana S R2 G2 M1 D2 N2 S; avarohana S N2 S D2 P M1 G2 M1 R2 S (vakra, bhashanga).

Ornament / gamaka

The gandhara is ornamented with an oscillated/kampita gamaka, always intoned at or below sadharana level and never sharper, with subtle oscillations. Kanada's gandhara-gamaka is distinct from Kharaharapriya's even though Kanada is its janya. The raga stresses heavily on gamakas and minute nuances.