THE 5

THAATS

Kumar Karthigesu
 THE 5 THAATS

1.         BILAWAL THAAT  -                              S   R   G   M   P   D   N  

                          The position of the frets on your sitar will be as follows                   

Note: All swaras are Shuddha, and all the frets are in their original positions.

2          KALYAN  THAAT -                    S   R   G   Ḿ    P   D   N 

                                                            (Ma is tivra, all other swaras are shuddha)

 Note:  From the Bilawal setting, the Taar Saptak Ma fret has to be pushed towards

the right (towards the thumba) to its tivra position.

Sitar with Kumar

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 THE 5 THAATS

3.         KAFI  THAAT -                          S   R   G   M   P   D   N  

                                            (Ga and Ni are Komal, all other swaras are shuddha)

Note:  From the Bilawal setting, the Taar Saptak Ga fret has to be pushed to the left

to  its komal position.

4.         BHAIRAVI  THAAT -                  S   R   G   M   P   D   N  

                                                                 (All notes are Komal)

Note:  From the Bilawal setting, Ri, Da, Ri  and Ga have to be pushed to the left to 

their komal positions.

Sitar with Kumar

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 THE 5 THAATS

5.         BHAIRAV  THAAT -                   S   R   G   M   P   D   N  

                                                         (All notes are Komal, except for Ga and Ni)       

Note:  From the Bilawal setting, Ri, Da, and Ri have to be adjusted upwards to the

komal positions.

                                                                                                                              .

NOTE:
Once you familiarize yourself with each of these thaats, you should set a practise routine, using

one thaat per practise session, and changing the thaat for each session. Practise all your paltas, and

the full - sitar exercises on each thaat thoroughly, maintaining accurate stretching of the second

nger etc.

Sitar with Kumar

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