Question

UPSC Prelims 2026 Question:

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

1. Nat Bhairavi
2. Kamavardhini
3. Hanumatodi
4. Dheera Shankarabharanam

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4: Dheera Shankarabharanam

Detailed Solution

Explanation:

Carnatic music and Hindustani classical music often have corresponding ragas with similar note structures though they may differ in style and presentation.

The Hindustani Raga Bilawal corresponds to Dheera Shankarabharanam in Carnatic music. Both are based on the natural major scale and use all seven shuddha (natural) notes: Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni
Dheera Shankarabharanam is the 29th Melakarta raga in Carnatic music and is one of the most important and foundational ragas in the Carnatic tradition.
The other ragas mentioned correspond to different Hindustani ragas:

Nat Bhairavi resembles Asavari
Kamavardhini corresponds to Puriya Dhanashree
Hanumatodi corresponds to Todi

Therefore, option (4) is the correct answer.

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