Surutti

Surutti is a Janya Raga derived from Harikambhoji (Melakarta 28) in Carnatic music. Its swaras are drawn from the parent scale Harikambhoji, and the way it selects, omits or bends those swaras is what gives it a character of its own. Use the arohanam and avarohanam above as your starting point: play the scale slowly on the harmonium, hold each swara until the pitch settles, and only then sing it back.

Rasa: shringara — settled affection. Surutti is a janya of Harikambhoji with a vakra structure and characteristic phrases around the nishadam and panchamam. It moves at an unhurried pace and avoids dramatic contrast.

It is traditionally sung towards the end of a concert and is considered an auspicious raga. Its warmth is established rather than newly felt.

Start with the plain arohanam and avarohanam in slow speed, holding each swara until it is steady. Once the scale is secure, practise it against a shruti drone and only then move to gamaka-laden phrases. Whenever a phrase feels uncertain, go back to the scale and check yourself swara by swara before building speed.