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UPSC Prelims 2026 GS Paper 1, question 1

Topic: Art and culture

Q1

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

  1. (a) Nat Bhairavi
  2. (b) Kamavardhini
  3. (c) Hanumatodi
  4. (d) Dheera ShankarabharanamCorrect answer

Solution.

Answer: (d) Dheera Shankarabharanam

  1. Dheera Shankarabharanam (the 29th Melakarta raga in Carnatic music) uses all seven shuddha swaras corresponding to the major diatonic scale, making it the exact structural equivalent of Raga Bilawal (Bilawal Thaat) in Hindustani music.
  2. Nat Bhairavi corresponds to Asavari Thaat, Kamavardhini (Pantuvarali) corresponds to Puriya Dhanashri, and Hanumatodi corresponds to Bhairavi Thaat.

Trap: Do not confuse Hanumatodi (Carnatic) with Hindustani Todi; Hanumatodi corresponds to Hindustani Bhairavi, whereas Carnatic Shubhapantuvarali corresponds to Hindustani Todi.