Which one of the following Carnatic music ragas is similar to Raga Bilawal in Hindustani music?

Question

Which one of the following Carnatic music ragas is similar to Raga Bilawal in Hindustani music?

1. A. Nat Bhairavi
2. B. Kamavardhini
3. C. Hanumatodi
4. D. Dheera Shankarabharanam (Correct answer)

Correct Answer

Option D — D

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Option D.

Key Points

• Explanation: Raga Bilawal in Hindustani music uses all seven shuddha (natural) swaras and corresponds to the natural major scale.
• Its Carnatic counterpart is Dheera Shankarabharanam, the 29th melakarta raga, which uses exactly the same set of notes.
• Why the other options are wrong: Nat Bhairavi corresponds to Hindustani Asavari.
• Kamavardhini, also known as Pantuvarali, corresponds to Puriya Dhanashri.
• Hanumatodi corresponds to Bhairavi.

Additional Information

• The two systems share many scales under different names — Kalyani is Yaman, and Mayamalavagowla is Bhairav.
• Shankarabharanam is among the most important melakarta ragas and is treated as the Carnatic equivalent of the major scale.