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QUESTION

GS

Hard

Art & Culture

Prelims 2026

Which one of the following Carnatic music ragas is similar to Raga Bilawal in Hindustani music ?

Select an option to attempt

Explanation

The Indian classical music system is broadly divided into the Hindustani (North Indian) and Carnatic (South Indian) traditions. While their styles and ornamentation differ, many foundational scales share exact equivalents between the Hindustani Thaat system (codified by V.N. Bhatkhande) and the Carnatic Melakarta system.

Dheera Shankarabharanam is the correct equivalent. In Carnatic music, it is a fundamental Melakarta raga that uses all natural (shuddha) notes. Its exact equivalent in Hindustani classical music is the Bilawal Thaat (and Raga Bilawal). Both of these correspond to the Western Major scale (Ionian mode).

Nat Bhairavi is incorrect. This Carnatic raga corresponds to the Asavari Thaat in Hindustani music.

Kamavardhini is incorrect. Also known as Pantuvarali, its Hindustani equivalent is the Poorvi Thaat (specifically similar to Raga Puriya Dhanashree).

Hanumatodi is incorrect. Often simply called Todi in the South, its notes correspond to the Bhairavi Thaat in Hindustani music. (Note that Carnatic Todi is completely different from Hindustani Todi, which corresponds to Shubhapantuvarali).

Therefore, the correct option is D.

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