Synonymous Ragas

As we have seen before, different names have been assigned to the same ragam by various sources, leading to some confusion on the part of listeners and performers alike. This problem is very evident when one compares the compositions of Thyagaraja and Muthuswamy Dikshithar, since the former used the Kanakaangi-Rathnaangi scheme of Govindacharya while the latter followed the Knakaambari-Phenadhyuthi scheme (which did not require sampoorna melakartas). In the case of Janya ragas also, there are some discrepancies in the names as well as definitions used in the two systems. The following list contains the names of the melakartas in the Kanakaambari - Phenadhyuthi scheme. Some of the names are marked with an asterisk (*) to indicate that they refer to the same raga as in the Kanakaangi - Rathnaangi scheme. Thus, Chaamaram, which is marked, is the same as the corresponding (56th) melakarta, namely, Shanmugapriya. Detecting such correspondence is tricky since different sources often offer conflicting definitions for the same ragam. The indicated correspondences were obtained after a careful scrutiny of the songs as given in Rangaramanujam Iyengar's Krithi Mani Malai.

1   Kanakaambari                37   Sougandhini
2   Phenadhyuthi                38   Jaganmohanam
3   Gaanasaamavaraali           39   Dhaalivaraali*
4   Bhaanumathi                 40   Nabahomani
5   Manoranjani*                41   Kumbhni*
6   Thanukirthi                 42   Ravikriya*
7   Senaakrani                  43   Girvaani 
8   Janathodi*                  44   Bhavaani*
9   Dhuninnashadjam*            45   Sivapanuvaraali*
10  Nataabharanam*              46   Sthavaraajam*
11  Kokilaaravam*               47   Sowveeram* 
12  Roopavathy*                 48   Jeevanthini*
13  Geyahejjajji*               49   Dhavalaangam* 
14  Vaativasathabhairavi        50   Naamadesi*
15  Maayaamaalavagowla*         51   Kaasiraamakriya*
16  Toyaveghavahini             52   Ramamanohaori*
17  Chaayaavathi                53   Gamakriya
18  Jeyasuddhamaalavi           54   Vamsavathi
19  Jhankaarabhamari            55   Shyaamala
20  Naarieethigowla             56   Chaamaram*
21  Keeranaavali                57   Soomadhyuthi*
22  Sriraagam                   58   Desimhaaravam*
23  Gowrivelavali*              59   Dhaamavathy*
24  Veeravasantham              60   Nishadam*
25  Sharavathy                  61   Kuntalam*
26  Taragini                    62   Ratipriya*
27  Sowrasena*                  63   Geetapriya*
28  Harikedaaragowla            64   Bhooshaavathi* 
29  Dheerasankarabharanam*      65   Santakalayaani*
30  Naagabharanam               66   Chaturangini*
31  Kalaavathy                  67   Santhaanamanjari*
32  Raagachudamani*             68   Jyothiraagam*
33  Gangaatarangini             69   Dhowthapanchamam*
34  Bhogachaayaanaata*          70   Nasaamani*
35  Sailadesaakshi*             71   kusumaakaram
36  Chalanaata*                 72   Rasamanjari*

#The following list indicates janya ragas which are known by different names.

Suddha Dhanyaasi or Udaya Ravichandrikaa
Suddha Saaveri or Devakriya
Aabheri or Karnaataka Devagaandhaari.