Samajavaragamana Violin Notes __full__ Review
"Samajavaragamana," composed by Thaman S. for the Telugu blockbuster Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo , is a modern masterpiece heavily rooted in classical Indian music. The song is based on the Carnatic Raga (equivalent to the Western Harmonic Major scale). Its expressive glides (gamakas) and soulful melody make it an exceptionally rewarding, yet challenging, piece for violinists.
For musicians trained in the Indian classical system, the song utilizes notes close to the or Shankarabharanam scales depending on how you treat the accidental notes. Here is the Swaram notation using a standard Sa as the tonic root note: Samajavaragamana... P S R2 G2 R2 S R2 G2 R2 S Ninu choosi aaga galana... P S R2 G2 R2 S R2 G2 P M1 Mee kaallaku dandaname... M1 M1 G2 R2 S R2 G2 S
"Samajavaragamana" is a masterpiece that bridges classical Carnatic music and contemporary Telugu cinema music. Composed originally as a traditional Carnatic kriti by Saint Tyagaraja in the Hindolam raga, it was brilliantly reimagined by music director Thaman S. for the 2020 blockbuster movie Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo .
| Phrase | Western Notes | Sargam | Fingering (1st Position, Low Octave) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Sa-ma-ja-va-ra-ga-ma-na | C# - C# - E - F# - G# - A - G# - F# | Sa - Sa - Ga - Ma - Pa - Dha - Pa - Ma | A(3) A(3) A(2?) Wait: E is A string 2nd finger. | | Better in Lower Octave: | | | | | Play on G & D strings: | | | | | Sa (G string 3rd finger) | C# | | | | Sa (G string 3rd finger) | C# | | | | Ga (D string 1st finger) | E | | | | Ma (D string 2nd finger) | F# | | | | Pa (D string 4th finger) | G# | | | | Dha (A string 1st finger) | A | | | | Pa (D string 4th finger) | G# | | | | Ma (D string 2nd finger) | F# | | | samajavaragamana violin notes
The Samajavaragamana composition is structured around the Shankarabharanam raga, with a systematic progression of notes and melodic patterns. The piece can be divided into several sections:
The "Samajavaragamana" that became a viral sensation is a Telugu film song from the movie Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020). Composed by S. Thaman, sung by the soulful Sid Sriram, and penned by the legendary lyricist Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry, the song was an instant hit, known for its "unplugged" feel and the extensive use of live, natural instruments. In fact, music composer Thaman revealed that he deliberately employed natural sounds for this composition, with more than 70 musicians working on the track. The result is a rich, organic soundscape where the violin plays a leading role in the conversation.
Here are the notes in the scale. I'll provide them in two common notations: "Samajavaragamana," composed by Thaman S
– Suggested bowing: Detaché for crisp notes, with legato on phrases like "S R G R S" . Fingering: Start on 3rd finger on A string (D note) if tuned in GDAE.
🎵 S – R2 – G3 – M1 – G3 – R2 – S – R2 – S – N3 – S
Hindolam is an asymmetric, beautiful raga that completely omits the second note (Rishabh/R) and the fifth note (Pancham/P). It consists of exactly five notes in both ascending and descending structures. S G₂ M₁ D₁ N₂ Ś Avarohanam (Descending): Ś N₂ D₁ M₁ G₂ S Western Equivalent Notes Its expressive glides (gamakas) and soulful melody make
S R2 G3 M1 P D2 N3 S (C D E F G A B C)
Standard Western Tuning (G-D-A-E) or Classical Carnatic Tuning (Sa-Pa-Sa-Pa adapted to F# or G#). Note: The notes below are written for standard Western tuning (G-D-A-E) scaled to A minor / C major intervals for absolute ease of reading, which you can easily transpose. 2. "Samajavaragamana" Violin Notes (Western ABC Notation)
The true essence of Indian classical music on the violin lies in the gamakas —the slides, oscillations, and heavy ornamentations that give the music its characteristic "bend." This is the most challenging and crucial aspect for a violinist. Listen to the original song carefully and try to imitate Sid Sriram's vocal inflections.