Nata (nāṭa), also known as Nattai, is a rāgam in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music), sometimes spelled Nattai. It is a janya rāgam (derived scale) from the 36th melakarta scale Chalanata. It is a janya scale, as it does not have all the seven swaras (musical notes) in the descending scale. It is a combination of the sampurna raga scale Chalanata and the pentatonic scale Gambhiranata.[1][2] It is an auspicious raga, which is mostly sung in the early part of the concert.[1]

Nata
ArohanamS R₃ G₃ M₁ P D₃ N₃ 
Avarohanam N₃ P M₁ R₃ S

There is a raaga named Nata in Hindusthani music as well, and another raaga named Shuddha Nat. But they are sung rarely, and have no association with the Nattai of Carnatic Music.[3] The closest comparable raga to be the Hindustani equivalent of Carnatic Nattai, is the Raga "Jog", which is believed to be a derivative of the Kafi Thaat.

Structure of Lakshana

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Ascending scale with shadjam at C, which is same as Chalanata scale
 
Descending scale with shadjam at C, which is same as Gambhiranata scale

Nata is an ASYMMETRIC rāgam that does not contain gandharam and dhaivatam in the descending scale. It is an sampurna-audava rāgam (or owdava rāgam, meaning pentatonic descending scale).[1][2] Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure (ascending and descending scale) is as follows:

It is a vivadi raga. The notes used in this scale are shadjam, shatsruthi rishabham, antara gandharam, shuddha madhyamam, panchamam, shatsruthi dhaivatam and kakali nishadham in ascending scale, with dhaivatam and gandharam skipped in descending scale. For the details of the notations and terms, see swaras in Carnatic music.

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There are many compositions set to Nata rāgam. Many compositions in praise of Lord Ganesha are set to this raga.[1] Here are some popular kritis composed in this ragam.

Film songs

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Language: Tamil

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Song Movie Composer Singer
Ventriduven Unnai(Ragamalika opening portion only)

Other Ragas : Bhairavi , Thodi , Aarabhi ,Shanmukhapriya , Darbar , Hamsadhwani, Vasantha, Mohanam, Manolayam, Bageshwari, Saranga, Kambothi, Gowri Manohari , Saraswati and Kalyani (16 Ragas)

Agathiyar Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan T. M. Soundararajan, Sirkazhi Govindarajan
Maanikkka Theril Maragatha Thedi Vandha Mappillai M. S. Viswanathan T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Mahaganapathim(Traditional Carnatic) Sindhu Bhairavi Illayaraja K.J. Yesudas
Mettioli Katrodu (Starts with Suddha Dhanyasi) Metti Illayaraja, S. Janaki(Humming only)
Kavithai Kelungal(Ragamalika) Punnagai Mannan Vani Jairam
Aala Asathum Kanni Rasi S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
Isai Paadu Nee Isai Paadum Thendral S. Janaki
Oh Oh Oh Kaalai Kuyilgale Unnai Vaazhthi Paadugiren
Holi Holi Raasukutti S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Innum Ennai (Gambeeranattai with Tilang) Singaravelan
Podu Thanthanathom Nalla Naal
Panivizhum Malar Vanam (in Chalanattai) Ninaivellam Nithya S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Inge Iraivan(In Jog) Sir.I Love You Mano, P. Susheela
Nan Deva devi Thangakkili Mano, Swarnalatha
Oru Pattampochi Kadhalukku Mariyadhai K.J. Yesudas, Sujatha
Naan Ondru Kettal Ilayaragam Arunmozhi, K.S. Chitra
Peigaley Nambathey Mahanadhi Kamal Haasan, Shanmugasundari
Annai Thanthai(Gambeeranattai) Are You Ok Baby(2023) Shweta Mohan
Sandhosha Kannire Uyire A. R. Rahman A. R. Rahman
Spiderman New Kunal Ganjawala, Sadhana Sargam
Narumugaiye Narumugaiye Iruvar P. Unnikrishnan, Bombay Jayashree
Vennila Vennila Asha Bhosle
Thom Thom Alli Thandha Vaanam Vidyasagar Hariharan, K.S. Chitra
Oru Nimidamaa Thithikudhe Tippu,Srivarthini
Thangamagan Indru Baashha Deva K.J. Yesudas, K.S. Chitra
Devi Devi Santharpam S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Uma Ramanan
Katrinile Varum Geetham Rasigan Oru Rasigai Raveendran Vani Jairam
Mudhalam Santhippil Charlie Chaplin Bharani P. Unnikrishnan, Swarnalatha
Solaigal Ellam Pookkalai Parikkatheergal T. Rajendar S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K.S. Chitra
Vasantham Paadi Vara Rail Payanangalil S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Valibam Vaazha Sollum Ullaasam Karthik Raja Karthik Raja,Prabhu Deva,Ajith Kumar, Vikram, Maheswari,Shruti Haasan
Sogam Eni Ellai Vaaname Ellai Maragathamani S. P. Balasubrahmanyam & Maragadha Mani(Chorus)
Uyire Uyire Vaanam Vasappadum Mahesh Mahadevan Hariharan, Ganga
Iyengaru Veetu Azhagey Anniyan Harris Jayaraj Hariharan, Harini
Chennai Senthamizh (copy of Mahaganapathim) M. Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi Srikanth Deva Harish Raghavendra
Karigalan Kala Vettaikaaran Vijay Antony Suchith Suresan,Sangeetha Rajeshwaran
Aagayam Kanatha Unakkum Enakkum Devi Sri Prasad S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Jingunamani Jilla D. Imman Ranjith, Sunidhi Chauhan
Ammukuttiye Gemini Ganeshanum Suruli Raajanum Pradeep Kumar
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This section covers the theoretical and scientific aspect of this rāgam. chalanattai

Notes

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  1. ^ Alternate notations:
    • Hindustani: S  G M P  N 
    • Western: C D E F G A B C
  2. ^ Alternate notations:
    • Hindustani:  N P M  S
    • Western: C B G F D C

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Ragas in Carnatic music by Dr. S. Bhagyalekshmy, Pub. 1990, CBH Publications
  2. ^ a b Raganidhi by P. Subba Rao, Pub. 1964, The Music Academy of Madras
  3. ^ "Cracked Open – the Nats! (Part 1/2)".