Moosika Vahana Gajanana

Nellai M Vinayaga Moorthy M.C.A., M.A. Music

🔹 What is Mohanam

This Rag is an audava raga. since it has fives notes

Janya raga derived from 28th melakarta Harkamboji Raga

Bhava – Happy, Peaceful, devotional & Joyful

The equivaklent of Mohana in Hindustani music is Bhoop or Bhopali

Arohanam (Ascent): S R2 G2 P D2 S

Avarohanam (Descent): S D2 P G2 R2 S

✅ Note: This raga does not use Ma (Madhyamam) or Ni (Nishādam).

🪕 Summary

• Mohanam is simple yet deep, elegant yet powerful.

• A perfect starting point for beginners and a beautiful canvas for advanced musicians.

• Its universal appeal makes it one of the most cherished rāgas in Indian music.

Moosika vahana gajanana – Lyrics

Moosika Vahana Gajanana
Modhaha Hastha Gajanana
Shyamala Karna Gajanana
Vilampita Suthara Gajanana

Vamana Rupa Gajanana
Mageshwara Puthra Gajanana
Vigna Vinayaga Gajanana
Padha Nameshthe Gajanana

Lyrics Meaning

Gajanana (Elephant-faced One) who rides on a mouse (Mooshika, his vahana/vehicle).

Gajanana whose hand holds Modaka (a sweet dumpling he loves).

Gajanana with dark-colored or beautiful ears (Shyamala = dark/beautiful, Karna = ears).

Gajanana with a majestic, well-adorned trunk (Vilampita = prominent, Suthara = trunk/proboscis).

Gajanana with a short (dwarf-like) form (Vamana = short/dwarf, Rupa = form).

Gajanana, the beloved son of Lord Shiva (Mageshwara = Lord of all, another name for Shiva; Puthra = son).

Gajanana, the remover of obstacles (Vigna = obstacles, Vinayaka = remover/leader).

Gajanana, to whose feet (Padha) I bow down in reverence (Namaste).

Moosika Vahana Gajanana – Notation

RAGA MOHANAM | TALA ADI

G , G P R , S S S S , R G , , ,

G , G G P , P , P G , P D , , ,

G , P D S , S , S S , D S , , P

P D S S D , P , P G , R S , , ,

Western Notaion

📝 Quiz-Style Questions

Which Melakarta rāga is Mohanam derived from?
A) Mayamalavagowla
B) Shankarabharanam
C) Harikamboji
D) Kalyani

2.Mohanam is classified as an Audava rāga because:
A) It belongs to Hindustani music
B) It is used only for instrumental compositions
C) It contains all seven swaras
D) It uses only five notes

3.Which of the following swaras is NOT used in Mohanam rāga?
A) R2 (Chatusruti Rishabham)
B) G2 (Sadharana Gandharam)
C) M1 (Shuddha Madhyamam)
D) P (Panchamam)

4.Match the following Gajanana titles with their meanings:

Gajanana Name Meaning

i. Moosika Vahana Gajanana a) Son of Lord Shiva

ii. Modhaha Hastha Gajanana b) Rides a mouse

iii. Mageshwara Puthra Gajanana c) Holds Modaka in his hand

5. Fill in the blank: The equivalent of the Carnatic rāga Mohanam in Hindustani music is _______.