Hindolam in Carnatic music is a meditative raga. The madhyama is the swara that lends charm to it and the dhaivata and nishada are the jiva swaras, those that impart soul.
It is known to be a raga that is generally beautiful and soothing to listen to. Being symmetrical in its ascending and descending scales, it lends itself very well to improvisation and is, therefore, popular at concerts.
IN CLASSICAL MUSIC
Muthusamy Dikshitar’s Neerajakshi Kamakshi, Samaja Vara Gamana of Thyagaraja, Mamavathu by Sri Saraswati of Mysore Vasudevachar, Nambikettavar by Papanasam Sivan are popular. Other popular songs in Hindolam are Chintayami Jagadamba by Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar, Deva Devam Bhaje, Kondalalo Nelakonna and Garuda Gamana by Annamacharya in Telugu, Ramanakku Mannan Mudi by Arunachala Kavi and Tillana (Dhim na naa tha dhirana) by Dr Balamuralikrishna.
IN CINEMA
T M Soundararajan sang the hugely popular devotional piece Karpanai Endraalum in a private album in Hindolam. Azhaikkaade crooned by P Susheela from the movie Manalane Mangaiyin Bagyam, Kangalum Kavi Paaduthe from Adutha Veettu Penn are awesome representation of this raga.
Jagam Pugazhum from Lava Kucha and Maname Muruganin Mayilvaahanam from Motor Sundaram Pillai (sung by the Radha-Jayalakshmi duo) are popular too.
Ilayaraja’s Om Namashivaya from Salangai Oli, Naan Thedum Sevvandhi Poovidhu are mainly based on Hindolam. A R Rahman in May Maadham composed Maargazhi Poove.