सलगम्

Raag Salagam is a complete scale with all 7 notes in both ascent and descent raga in the Carnatic classical music tradition. It is derived from the Salagam melakarta (#37). With its Sampurna-Sampurna jati structure, this raag creates a distinctive tonal landscape. The predominant rasa is Compassion/Pathos (करुण), making it suitable for compositions that evoke melancholic, contemplative emotions. It is traditionally performed during evening hours, and its melodic contour offers rich possibilities for alapana, kalpanaswaram, and creative improvisation.

As part of the rich tapestry of Indian classical music, Raag Salagam represents the deep connection between melodic structure and emotional expression that defines the Carnatic tradition.

Salagam is the 37th melakarta in the Carnatic 72-melakarta system, the first raag of the seventh chakra, Rishi (melakartas 37–42). As the first melakarta in the prati madhyama half (melakartas 37–72), Salagam marks the transition from the shuddha madhyama half of the system. Venkatamakhi's Caturdandi Prakasika (1660 CE) described this scale, and Govindacharya's 19th-century refinements standardised its name and position. The Rishi chakra as a whole is characterised by atikomal gandhara (G1), and Salagam additionally introduces shuddha nishada (N1 / atikomal Ni) alongside prati madhyama and komal dhaivata. This four-alteration scale makes it one of the most theoretically dense melakartas. Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna composed a kriti in Salagam.