We have prepared the following list after listening for hundereds of hours to the Carnatic music (South Indian Classical Music)programs broadcast in the All India Radio, Madras.Hence the list reprents the popular ragas sung by Carnatic muscicians.The list is not necessarily complete.

For each Raga one or two keethanams(song) set to that Raga is given.After the name of the song ,the abbreviated name of the Composer of the Keerthanam is given in brackets.For example,T represents THAYAGARAJA, D represents MUTHUSWAMY DIKSHITAR etc. For the other abbreviations, refer to the 'LIST OF COMPOSERS IN CARNATIC MUSIC' in this Web site.

During the period Jan 99 to July 99 when I was listening to the Carnatic Music programs in the All India Radio,concerts by several dozens of musicians were broad cast.Songs in the Ragaas whose names are given in the site were sung atleast once.Foe example.in Ratnangi,Andhali and Sucharitam,one song was sung by one musician each.Several songs in well-known ragaas like Bhairavi,Maya Malava Gowlam and Kalyani were sung by several musicians.

In addition to these Ragaas ,there are other ragaas in which I did not hear any song sung during this period.

In carnatic music ,there are 72 fundamental ragaas which are called MELAKARTHA RAGAAS.Some of the ragaas mentioned in the list are Melakartha ragaas.Their Melakertha Number is mentioned in brackets.For example, HariKamboji is Melakatha No:28;Ganamoorthy is Melakertha No.3.

Many of the Melakartha ragaas are not melodious.Hence,songs in such ragaas are rare.However,each Melakartha Raga can generate several other Ragaas.Such Ragaas are called Janya(the sanskrit word of Janya means 'born out of') ragaas.Even if a Melakartha ragaa is not melodious,a Janya ragaa can be melodious.Foe example Melakartha No.60 is Neethimathi which is not very melodious.But Hamsanandam,which is a Janya Raga generated from Neethimathi,is melodious.

Generally Speaking,Janya Ragaas are of two types-VARJA RAGAS and VAKRA RAGAS.Each melakartha can generate 483 Varja Ragas.The number of Vakra Ragaswhich can be generated is endless.Hence,theorotically,the number of possible ragaas is innumerable.However,all these need not be melodious.

Names have been given to those ragaas which are melodious or reasonably so.I have collected these names from many sources.These names are given below.Wherever I could collect the names of the Keerthanams (songs) in these ragaas , I have indicated it against the ragaa.

The comtemprorary Musician-Composer Mr.Balamurali Krishna(BMK for short, in this site)has composed songs in each of the Melakartha ragaas.These songs ,sung by him,are available in a series of audio cassettes.