धरनि मनोहरि

Raag Dharani Manohari is a complete scale with all 7 notes in both ascent and descent raga in the Carnatic classical music tradition.. With its Sampurna-Sampurna jati structure, this raag creates a distinctive tonal landscape. The predominant rasa is Peace/Tranquility (शांत), making it suitable for compositions that evoke peaceful, meditative 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 Dharani Manohari represents the deep connection between melodic structure and emotional expression that defines the Carnatic tradition.

Raag Dharani Manohari is a Carnatic janya raag whose name combines 'Dharani' (the earth, from Sanskrit) with 'Manohari' (one who captivates the mind). Manohari itself is a well-known janya raag derived from Harikambhoji, the 28th melakarta in Venkatamakhi's scheme, whose note-set corresponds closely to the Hindustani Khamaj thaat (Sa, Shuddha Re, Shuddha Ga, Shuddha Ma, Pa, Shuddha Dha, komal Ni). The 'Dharani' prefix suggests a grounded, earthy quality layered onto the inherently pleasing (manohari) character of the base raag. Dharani Manohari is considered an upanga janya (one that stays within the parent melakarta's notes without introducing borrowed swaras). It is predominantly performed in devotional contexts, appropriate for worship of Bhu Devi (earth goddess) associations. The raag is not widely documented in mainstream Carnatic pedagogy and is encountered mainly in specialist recitals and devotional music of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Its exact arohana-avarohana requires verification from authoritative Carnatic lakshana texts.