Glossary · glossary · 1 min read
Audava
औडव; five-note
Audava describes a raga, or melodic framework, that uses five notes going up and five notes coming down. Bhoop is an example, using Sa, Re, Ga, Pa and Dha.
By SJN, Founder, BeatRootRaga · Reviewed by BRR · Last reviewed 27 Sept 2026
What does audava mean?
Audava means a raga, or melodic framework, that uses five notes going up and five notes coming down. The term tells you how many notes the raga uses in each direction.
Bhoop is one example: its notes are Sa, Re, Ga, Pa and Dha. To hear some of its character, listen for the phrases Ga Re Sa and Dha Pa Ga.
With fewer notes to follow, the raga's shape is easier to hear. Five-note ragas are common in both traditions and are often among the first ragas taught for this reason.
This is a short definition. For the full explanation of audava, follow the linked BeatRootRaga learning page.
An example of audava and where to read more
Bhoop is an example of an audava raga, a melodic framework using five notes going up and coming down. Its notes are Sa, Re, Ga, Pa and Dha. Bhoop is also called Bhoopali and is often taught early.
Sa Re Ga Pa Dha
Read Raga Bhoop (Mohanam) for more on this example. Keep these five notes in mind when you follow the linked BeatRootRaga learning page for the full explanation of audava.
Keep going
- Raga Bhoop (Mohanam) · Bhoop, or Bhoopali, is a raga (melodic framework) using Sa, Re, Ga, Pa and Dha; Mohanam shares its notes, but uses Carnatic phrasing and ornaments. An evening raga with a calm, devotional mood, Bhoop is often taught early; hear its character through Ga Re Sa and Dha Pa Ga.
- Raga Hamsadhwani · Hamsadhwani is a five-note raga from the Carnatic tradition, using Sa, Re, Ga, Pa and Ni, or C D E G B with Sa as C. It often opens Carnatic concerts; hear its bright, devotional character by playing the notes over C and G, noticing B resolving to C.