UPSC CSE 2026 · PYQ · Art and Culture / Indian Classical Music · medium
Which one of the following Carnatic music ragas is similar to Raga Bilawal in Hindustani music?
A.Nat Bhairavi
B.Kamavardhini
C.Hanumatodi
D.Dheera Shankarabharanam✓ Correct
Explanation
Raga Bilawal in Hindustani music corresponds to the Shankarabharanam scale in Carnatic music. Dheera Shankarabharanam is the 29th melakarta raga in the Carnatic system and uses the same notes (Sa, Ri2, Ga3, Ma1, Pa, Dha2, Ni3) as the major scale, which is identical to the Bilawal thaat in Hindustani music. Nat Bhairavi corresponds to Asavari, Kamavardhini (Pantuvarali) corresponds to Puriya Dhanashree, and Hanumatodi corresponds to Bhairavi thaat. Hence, the equivalent of Bilawal is Dheera Shankarabharanam.
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