Mayamalavagaula’s Arabic connections!

The third raga in the third chakra, Agni, is Malavagaula but known as Mayamalavagaula to fit the katapayadi sankya formula.
A raga having symmetrical tetra chords having the notes s, r1, g2, m1, p, d1, n2, it is used for beginning lessons because of the equal distance of the swaras which makes it easier for students.
An ancient raga in Carnatic music, it is known as Bhairav in Hindustani music and a raga to be sung at early hours of the morning.This raga was popular during the time of Guru Nanak and is seen in the Guru Granth Sahib as well. The Pann Indhalam of the ancient Tamils is said to be equivalent to Mayamalavagaula, though certain versions mention it as Nadanamakriya.
This scale is seen in the Middle Eastern music particularly Arabic, Egyptian, Persian, Turkish, Iran, Iraq and North African. It is known as Shadd Araban and Shahnaz Maqamats of the Arabic world. In Carnatic music, it is a Raganga ragam, evoking mainly the shanta rasa, while in Arabic music, it is said to evoke pathos. It is a murchanakaraka mela where from the note rishaba raga Rasikapriya and the note madyama raga Simendramadyamam is derived by graha bhedam.
Some film melodies include Raama Naamam… from Raghavendra, Poova Eduthu… from Amman Kovil Kizhakkale, Madura Marikkozhundu Vaasam…. from Enga Ooru Pattukaaran and Poonkadhave Thaal Thiravaai… from Nizhalgal.