Glossary · glossary · 1 min read
Janya
जन्य; derived raga
A janya is a Carnatic raga, a melodic framework, derived from a melakarta, one of 72 seven-note parent scales. Hamsadhwani is one example, using the five notes Sa, Re, Ga, Pa and Ni.
By SJN, Founder, BeatRootRaga · Reviewed by BRR · Last reviewed 27 Sept 2026
What does janya mean?
A janya is a Carnatic raga derived from a melakarta, one of the tradition’s 72 seven-note parent scales. A raga is a melodic framework that musicians perform. These parent scales help identify note relationships, rather than a raga’s phrases or character.
A janya may leave out notes from its parent scale. It may take a different path going up from the one it takes coming down. It may also add a note from outside the parent scale.
Most ragas heard in Carnatic concerts are janya ragas. For more on the parent-scale system, read the BeatRootRaga learning page Thaat and melakarta explained.
An example of janya and where to read more
Hamsadhwani is one example of a janya raga, a melodic framework derived from a parent scale. Its parent is Dheerasankarabharanam, the 29th melakarta, or seven-note parent scale, in Carnatic music.
Sa Re Ga Pa Ni
This is a short example, not the full explanation of janya. For that, follow the BeatRootRaga teaching page linked above. For more on this particular raga, read Raga Hamsadhwani.
Keep going
- Thaat and melakarta explained · A thaat in Hindustani music and a melakarta in Carnatic music are seven-note parent scales used to organise ragas, the melodic frameworks musicians perform. Hindustani music uses 10 practical categories, while Carnatic music uses 72 allowed scale combinations; these help identify note relationships, not a raga’s phrases or character.
- 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.