Mohana or Bhoop or Regupthi

Eswar Josyula

unread,

Mar 14, 1998, 3:00:00 AM3/14/98

to

The raga known as Mohana in Carnatic music, Bhoop in Hindusthani
music and Regupthi in Tamil music is associated with Lord Krishna.
Anybody know the reason or have any references to this
in scripture?

--
Eswar Josyula
jos...@dnaco.com

Dinesh Krishnajios

unread,

Mar 15, 1998, 3:00:00 AM3/15/98

to Eswar Josyula

On 14 Mar 1998, Eswar Josyula wrote:

> The raga known as Mohana in Carnatic music, Bhoop in Hindusthani
> music and Regupthi in Tamil music is associated with Lord Krishna.

^^^^^^^^^^^

Its very interesting that you mention "Tamil music". What exactly is
"Tamil music" ?

Incidently there Swathi Tirunal has composed a krithi in raga Revagupthi -
"Gopalaka paahimaam..". I have heard M.S.Subbulakshmi and
K.S.Gopalakrishnan rendering it in Revagupthi where as M.S.Sheela
sings the same krithi in Raaga Bhoopalam.

- Dinesh Krishnajois.

Eswar Josyula

unread,

Mar 16, 1998, 3:00:00 AM3/16/98

to

Dinesh Krishnajios <din...@sunflowr.usd.edu> wrote:

: On 14 Mar 1998, Eswar Josyula wrote:

:> The raga known as Mohana in Carnatic music, Bhoop in Hindusthani
:> music and Regupthi in Tamil music is associated with Lord Krishna.
: ^^^^^^^^^^^

: Its very interesting that you mention "Tamil music". What exactly is
: "Tamil music" ?

The ancient tamil music was a highly developed system in the tamil
regions. It predates 200 B.C. The ragas are known as panns.
The equivalents of tamil panns to karnatic ragas are established for
a few.
: Incidently there Swathi Tirunal has composed a krithi in raga Revagupthi -

: "Gopalaka paahimaam..". I have heard M.S.Subbulakshmi and
: K.S.Gopalakrishnan rendering it in Revagupthi where as M.S.Sheela
: sings the same krithi in Raaga Bhoopalam.

Interesting how the names are so close to each other. Mohana is a night
raga and the both Revagupthi and Bhoopalam are morning ragas. Mohana
is derived from harikamboji.

: - Dinesh Krishnajois.

:> Anybody know the reason or have any references to this
:> in scripture?
:>
:> --
:> Eswar Josyula
:> jos...@dnaco.com

:>
:>

--
Eswar Josyula
jos...@dnaco.com

Bansijeff

unread,

Mar 16, 1998, 3:00:00 AM3/16/98

to

>The raga known as Mohana in Carnatic music, Bhoop in Hindusthani
>music and Regupthi in Tamil music is associated with Lord Krishna.

>Anybody know the reason or have any references to this
>in scripture

I have a theory, just a theory. Both Bhupali/ Mohanan and Hindol, which is
also associated with Krishna (and is not the same as Carnatic Hindolam) are
easily played on the open holes of the bansuri and are known to be of very
ancient origin. There is a small bamboo flute in the Egyptian collection of
the British museum in London from 1850 BC which has the same design as the
modern bansuri, or a 6-hole venu for that matter. I think it is probable that
the rags which could be played with the different permutations of open holes
were the first to evolve on the flute. I also think that in those times
different holes were used as the tonic by changing the drone, which allows six
of the melas, thaats or Greek modes to be produced with open-hole (hence easy)
fingerings. Ragunath Seth and some other bansuri players, especially filmi
musicians, still use these alternate fingerings, though most of the top
classical musicians do not use them in classical pieces. Anyway, I think or
guess that the rag you cite is associated from ancient times with Krishna
because of his his indentity as Vamsi Krishna who charmed all with his flute,
and was probably reputed to be a rag he played.
Jeff Whittier.