भूपलम्

Raag Bhoopalam 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 Bhoopalam represents the deep connection between melodic structure and emotional expression that defines the Carnatic tradition.

Bhoopalam (also called Bhoopalem or Bhoopali in some regional traditions) is the Carnatic name for the pentatonic raga equivalent to the Hindustani Bhoopali and the pan-Indian scale known as Mohanam. It is a janya of Harikambhoji (melakarta #28, 5th chakra Bana), the 28th melakarta in Venkatamakhin's 72-melakarta system as codified in his 1660 text Chaturdandi Prakasika. Harikambhoji's note-set (S R2 G3 M1 P D2 N2) corresponds to Khamaj thaat in Hindustani music. Bhoopalam employs only five notes — S, R2 (shuddha Re/Chatushruti Rishabha), G3 (shuddha Ga/Antara Gandhara), P (Pancham), D2 (shuddha Dha/Chatushruti Dhaivata) — making it an audav-audav (5-5) raga with the identical pentatonic scale as the Hindustani Bhoopali. The vadi is Gandhara and samvadi is Dhaivata. This pentatonic scale — employing the major 2nd, major 3rd, perfect 5th, and major 6th above the tonic — appears across world musical traditions. In Carnatic music, Bhoopalam evokes joy, brightness, and clarity, and is performed at both morning and evening concerts. It has been the foundation of many Carnatic kritis and varnams.