Chords for Raga Mohanam – Major pentatonic

Raga Mohanam is based on the major scale – Raga Shankarabharanam.

Mohanam: Arohanam : S R2 G2 PD2 S Avarohanam: S D2 PG2 R2 S

C major scale notes: C D E F G A B C

C mohanam notes: C D E G A C

We will find the chords for Mohanam based on the chords of the Major scale. Find all the major scale
chords possible for each swara of Mohanam.

Chords for the major scale – C root

Swara Sa Ri Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni
Starting C D E F G A B
note
Triads CEG DFA EGB FAC GBD ACE BDF
Name C Dm Em F G Am Bdim
of
chord
Swaras Sa Ga Ri Ma Ga Pa Ma Dha Pa Ni Ri Dha Sa Ni Ri
in the Pa Dha Ni Sa Ga Ma
chord

In the section about major scale chords, we have seen that G7 can be used instead of B dim.
B dim notes: B D F
G7 notes: G B D F (Pa Ni Ri Ma)
G7 has all the notes of the B dim chord + the Pa note.

When finding chords for Mohanam phrases, use the above table, find which chords are possible for
the notes in the phrase.

Example using the Mohanam Geetham: Varaveena

Phrase: |Ga Ga Pa Pa|Dha Pa Sa Sa|
Notes when C is Sa, the root: | E E G G|A G C C|
From the above table, we find that E and G notes are present in C major chord and E minor chord,
making those chords two obvious options.

To find chords for the second part ‘A G C C’, we can try chords with ‘notes A & C’ or notes ‘G and C’.
A and C notes are present in these chords: F major, A minor
G and C notes are present in the C major chord.
Try the three chords F, Am and C over the ‘A G C C’ part.

Phrase: |Sa Ri Ga Ga|

Notes: C D E E
Since the phrase ends with emphasis on E, we can try playing the chords for E note: E minor.
To include C along with E, we can try C major and A minor chords.
To include all the notes, ‘C D and E’, C added 9th is an obvious option. Finally when choosing a chord,
make sure it sounds best with the ending, sustained E note (Ga).
Phrase: Pa Ga Ri
Notes: G E D
Ending with sustained D note. G and D are part of the G major chord, making G major chord an
obvious option.
Try other chords with G and E notes in it: Em, C major.

Chords of Bilahari (Raravenu)

Bilahari is also based on the major scale (Raga Shankarabharanam).
Use the same table as above in the Mohanam section, when trying to find chords for Bilahari phrases.

Phrase: |Sa Ri Ga Pa|Dha Sa Ni Dha|

Notes: |C D E G|A C B A|
|CDEG| has C E and G notes of the C major chord, making C major chord and obvious option.

|A C B A| has A in the beginning and end. Using a chord with the note A emphasized may sound
good. C and A notes are present in these chords: A minor, F major