January’s raagam is Mohanam. It is an AUDAVA raagam – 5 notes in the Arohanam and 5 in the Avarohanam.
The Raagam does not have Madhyamam or Nishadham.Mohanam is a Janya Raagam of Harikamoji(28th Melakarta Raagam). The Hindustani equivalent is Bhoop.
One of the first Geetams taught is Varavina in Mohana Raagam and the first Varnam taught is Ninnukori also in Mohanam. There are many famous and popular compositions in this Raagam. You may wish to research,recollect them.The attached recording is a composition of Mysore Vasudevacharya, who composed in Sanskrit and Telugu. There are many popular compositions of Mysore Vasudevacharya- Broche varevaru in Kamas, Mamavatu Sri Saraswati – in Hindolam, Bhaja re re Manasa in Abheri. Ra Ra Rajeeva Lochana is composed in Telugu and the kriti’s simplicity and lilting melody has made it very popular.
I hope to be able to send you one such raagam every month- the idea is to educate and kindle your interest just a little more!! Needless to say you can also look up movie songs in Mohanam!

Lakshmi Krishnan
January 2019