S-R-g-m-P-D-n-S
Dhanashree is a multivariate raga of ancient vintage (listed in Medieval shastras as a ragini of Malkauns), which arrives in several present-day forms – usually based around the swaras of Bhimpalasi (SRgmPDnS), Khamaj (SRGmPDnNS), Bhairavi (SrgmPdnS), Bilawal (SRGmPDNS), or Patdeep (SRgmPDNS). Characteristic motions tend to retain similar ‘generic’ movement patterns, mapping them to the differing chal of these base scales (e.g. Kafi vs. Khamaj: mgmRS vs. mGmRS). The predominant Bhimpalasi-prakriti variant is perennially popular in kirtan and other Sikh devotional styles, but largely overshadowed on the classical stage by prakritis such as Bhimpalasi. Also see an AUTRIM pitch-graph of an Aslam Khan rendition (“Oh bird, please go and convey my message to my beloved; Ask him when he will return to my abode…”) – as well as other Dhanashree family ragas including Puriya Dhanashree, Hanskinkini, Patdeep, and Dhani.
• Raga Masterlist (1000+) •
राग धनाश्री
Search | Glossary | Tags
• Hindustani Raga Index •
—Shubha Mudgal (1990s)—
[refrain, e.g. 2:44] SS(n) n(D)D, D(n)m, (Pmn)P (m)g, (mgm)R RRn S(mgPmnPSnS); SS(n) n(D)D, D(nDn)m, m(PmPn)P, S(nSnDn), n(DnP)P…
Support open-access, AI-free raga musicology by joining my PATREON. And to learn raga & global music on guitar, try some online lessons: get in touch to book a free taster session!
• Ragmalas •
Historic miniature paintings (learn more)
“Dhanashree, longing for her lover, paints his portrait in the belief that this may conjure the subject of the image. The floating moon and fiery red background suggest the intensity of her passion…” (Mewar, c.1690)
• Recent Raga Index Updates (May 2026): Up to 365 Megalist pages! Recent adds include Asa, Bayati, Deepavali, Chanchalas Malhar, DoGa Kalyan, Gaud, Japaniya, Kaushiki, Latangi, Loom, Maru, Meerabai Malhar, Palas, Sarangkauns, Shankh Dhwani, Shivanjali, Sohini Bahar (+ try out ‘Audav Meladalan‘) • What does ‘Kauns’ mean? Analysing 60+ Kauns ragas • ‘Bifurcations‘: ‘poorvang vs. uttarang’ splits • Amir Khan’s ‘168 merukhands’ • Introduced the ‘complements‘ concept • Experiments (e.g. overtonal Bhairav, jazz Malkauns) • Survey of Sa Tunings • More Masterlist ragas (1000+)
If you’re near London/Brighton: come see me play some bendy raga-guitar at Mehfil Space on Thu 11th June, in Ashwin Baliga’s ‘Around the World in 8 Ragas’: exploring cross-cultural melodic forms…
• Classifiers •
Explore hidden inter-raga connections: swara geometries, melodic features, murchana sets, ragangas, & more (also see the Full Tag List):
Swaras: -4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10+
Sapta: Audav | Shadav | Sampurna
Poorvang: SRGM | SRG | SRM | SGM
Uttarang: PDNS | PDS | PNS | DNS
Varjit: Re | Ga | Ma | Pa | Dha | Ni
Thaat: 10 | 32 | Enclosed | Inexact
Chal: All-shuddha | All-komal | Ma-tivra
Gaps: Anh. | Hemi. | 3-row | 4-row | 5-row
Aroha: Audav | Shadav | Sampurna
Avroh: Audav | Shadav | Sampurna
Jati: Equal | Balanced | Av.+1 | Av.+2
Samay: Morning | Aftern. | Eve. | Night
Construction: Jod | Mishra | Oddball
Origin: Ancient | Carnatic | Modern
Dominance: Poorvang | Uttarang
Prevalence: A-list | Prachalit | Aprach.
• Prakriti: Kafi thaat, Kafi, Bageshri, Bhimpalasi, Shahana, Desi, Hussaini Kanada, Mudriki Kanada, Raisa Kanada
Also compare to other members of the Dhanashree raganga
–Swara Geometries–
• Core form: S–R–g–m–P–D–n–S
• Reverse: SRgmPDnS (=itself)
• Complement: SrGMdNS (=Din ki Puriya)
• Imperfect: 1 (Dha)
• Detached: none
• Symmetries: mirror (S—M)
• Murchanas: Bilawal set
• Quirks: ‘palindromic‘ (same intervals forwards & backwards) • ‘maximal‘ (swaras are optimally ‘spread out’) • ‘Pa-repeating‘ (poorvang and uttarang take the same ‘semitone shape’)
–Global Translations–
• Carnatic: ~Karnataka Devagandhara
S-R2-G2-M1-P-D2-N2-S
• Jazz: Dorian
1-2-b3-4-5-6-b7-8
• Pitch classes (‘fret-jumps’):
0-2-3-5-7-9-10-0
(2–1–2–2–2–1–2)
o • o o • o • o • o o • o
• Tanpura: Sa–Pa
• Names: Dhanashree, Dhanashri, Dhanyashri, Dhanyasi, Dhannasika (archaic)
• Transliterations: Hindi (धनाश्री); Bengali (ধনশ্রী); Punjabi (ਧਨਾਸਰੀ)
—Yashwant Bua Joshi (~1990s)—
• ‘Guitaragas’ | My Music •
See more raga-guitar on my Instagram
• Learn ragas & filmi on guitar! •
Share these ragas! My site is 100% reliant on organic visitors – send this page to fellow sonic searchers!
—Join my PATREON!—
The Raga Index will always remain open-access & ad-free: however, this approach doesn’t pay the bills! I put as much into these resources as time and finances allow – so, to hasten the project’s expansion, you can:
• Support the Raga Index! •
—Riyaz-focused notations & bandish—
—Resurrecting rare and ancient ragas—
—Further melodic & geometric analysis—
—Ensuring that high-quality raga knowledge will remain open to all, at no cost: free from commercial motive!—
—Hindustani Raga Index—
An open-ended project seeking to bring North Indian raga closer to all who approach with open ears. Combines direct input from dozens of leading Hindustani artists with in-depth insights from music history, global theory, performance practice, cognitive science, and much more besides!
–Masterlist (1000+ ragas)–
• Search: Find your new favourite •
• Tags: Classifying the ragascape •
• Glossary: Raga jargon demystified •
• Murchanas: Swara-set rotations •
• Thaat: Bhatkhande’s base scales •
• Bifurcations: Poorvangs/uttarangs •
• Ragatable: Analytical connections •
• Kaunsis: Listing 60+ Kauns ragas •
• Tanpuras: Divine overtonal drones •
• Quotes: Musings from raga artists •
• Talas: Hindustani rhythm cycles •
• Instruments: Singing sculptures •
¡Random Raga!
—Search the Raga Index—
(NEW: search by swaras/varjits)
• Feedback / Contact •
George Howlett is a London-based musician, writer, and teacher (guitars, sitar, tabla, & santoor). Above all I seek to enthuse fellow sonic searchers, interconnecting fresh vibrations with the voices, cultures, and passions behind them. See Homepage for more, and hit me up for Lessons!
• Projects & articles: full list •
(Get in touch for Zoom lessons!)
my site is ad-free, AI-free, & open-access