Raga Lakshana: Hamsadhvani MCQs Quiz | Class 9
This quiz targets Class IX Carnatic Music (Vocal) Code 031 students covering Theory Unit III. The questions focus on the Raga Lakshana of Hamsadhvani, including its Arohana/Avarohana, key phrases, and raga identity points. Test your knowledge, submit your answers, and download a PDF summary for your records.
Overview of Raga Hamsadhvani
Hamsadhvani is one of the most popular and auspicious ragas in Carnatic music. It is traditionally invoked at the beginning of a concert to create a pleasant and bright atmosphere. The name Hamsadhvani literally translates to “The Sound of Swans”.
Raga Classification (Lakshana)
Hamsadhvani is a Janya raga derived from the 29th Melakarta, Dheera Shankarabharanam. It is an Audava-Audava raga, meaning it has five notes in the ascending scale (Arohana) and five notes in the descending scale (Avarohana).
- Parent Raga (Mela): 29th Shankarabharanam
- Arohana: S R2 G3 P N3 S
- Avarohana: S N3 P G3 R2 S
Swaras Involved
Since it is a derivative of Shankarabharanam, it takes the same swaras as the parent, omitting two notes.
| Swara Code | Swara Name |
|---|---|
| S | Shadja |
| R2 | Chatusruti Rishabha |
| G3 | Antara Gandhara |
| P | Panchama |
| N3 | Kakali Nishada |
Key Characteristics
- Varja Swaras: Madhyama (M) and Dhaivata (D) are completely absent. Hence it is a Varja raga.
- Graha Swaras: S, G, and P are common starting notes for phrases.
- Nyasa Swaras: G, P, and N are important resting notes.
- Rasa: It evokes Vira (valor), Adbhuta (wonder), and Sringara (love), generally imparting a feeling of auspiciousness and enthusiasm.
- History: It is widely believed to have been created by Ramaswami Dikshitar, the father of Muthuswami Dikshitar.
Common Compositions
Several famous compositions help students understand the essence of this raga:
- Vatapi Ganapatim – Muthuswami Dikshitar (Sanskrit)
- Raghunayaka – Tyagaraja (Telugu)
- Gajavadana Beduve – Purandaradasa (Kannada)
Practice Questions
- Which two notes are omitted in Hamsadhvani compared to Shankarabharanam?
- Is Hamsadhvani an Upanga or Bhashanga raga?
- Name one popular Kriti in this raga.
- What is the Melakarta number of its parent raga?
- Who is credited with the invention of Hamsadhvani?
Content created and reviewed by the CBSE Quiz Editorial Team based on the latest NCERT textbooks and CBSE syllabus. Our goal is to help students practice concepts clearly, confidently, and exam-ready through well-structured MCQs and revision content.