Carnatic Music Exams - Grade 1

Greatness of Music
Saptha Svaras & 12 Svara sthaanas
Sthaayi
Thaala

Greatness of Music
Music is a boon given by God to mankind. From scholars to the common man,
old to young, for animals so to say, for all living beings music is dear.
Music entertains and takes away the boredom of daily life. Music is like a ray and
light to the darkness.

Art is one of the mediums through which man expresses his feelings. Art refines the
human mind. Singing or listening to music is good exercise for the body and mind.
Music is a form of entertainment which keeps the mind peaceful.
Nature is the source of art. Various sounds that were immersed in nature, like the
cries of animals and birds, the roar of the sea, etc., became tools to awaken the
latent music in man. Indian ancient scriptures mention sixty-four arts. These can be
broadly divided into fine arts, scientific arts, and commercial arts. Music, dance,
literature, drama, sculpture, theatre etc. are fine arts.

The history of music in India can be traced back to the Vedic times. The concept of
Naadbrahma was prevalent in the Vedic ages. All organised music traces its origins
back to the Sam Veda which contains the earliest known form of organised music.
Indian classical music is very closely connected to nature, taking inspiration from
natural phenomena including the seasons and times of the day to create ‘ragas’ or
musical moods and many time cycles or ‘taalas’ that have been further codified.
Compositions are fixed but most of the music is improvised within the structure of
notes and mathematics. This gives the music a spontaneous freedom where each
artist and every performance is ensured to be completely unique.
There are two distinct traditions that are generally geographically divided between
North and South India. They have similar roots and concepts but their elaboration is
beautifully contrasted and many different instruments are used.
Temples in India were the centres where music was nurtured. In our country,
preachers have been giving sermons through the medium of music. Thus music is
advancing as a facet of spirituality.
Music and Science

Music and Science are closely related. It could be said that Science is the music of
the intellect, and Music is the science of the heart. Every human movement is
scientifically systematic and rhythmic. Don't we know that our organs also respond to
rhythm?

Similarly, there is a strong relationship between music and physiology, music and
physics, music and mathematics, music and psychology, music & sociology and so
on. Does not the practice of music which is growing scientifically in many ways,
seem necessary for everyone?

Music and Physiology

The power of influence of music on human physiology has been known since ancient
times. Music has a tremendous impact on the conscious and subconscious states of
mind. Let’s look at the main ways music affects the human body. The role of music
in the development of the human body is profound. Is it not surprising that musical
practice contributes to the healthy development of lungs, a strong heart, balanced
mental energy, movement of nerves etc,.
Through years of research, scientists have discovered how exposure to music
improves muscle performance during physical exertion. When listening to music,
there is an improvement in the performance of athletes and people whose work
involves strenuous physical labour. This is due to the presence of a pre-set musical
tempo and the rhythm of the melody, which results in the synchronization of body
movements. A person who performs a physical action to music expends less effort
than when performing the same action without music. Sounds have an anaesthetic
effect. Music has the property of lidocaine and can not only increase the pain
threshold but even dissolve the feeling of pain by its effect on a person’s nerve cells.
The positive effect of music was also noticed in the postoperative recovery of the
body. People recovered faster after anaesthesia and were more successful in their
recovery. Music therapy is often used by cardiologists and endocrinologists as a way
of treating illnesses. Music is able to lower blood pressure and heart rate and relieve
mental stress in a short period. Another sound phenomenon is that listening to music
can develop and regenerate hearing. All in all, practising music is an easy way to
keep a person's physical and mental health under control.

Music is connected with various scientific subjects namely Physics,

Mathematics, Biology, Physiology, Medical sciences, Computer science, psychology
and so on.
Music & Physics
Acoustics is a branch of Physics that deals with the study of sound.
Sound/Naadha is the source of Music. So aspects like musical tone production,
swarasthanas, the structure of instruments, and tonal quality of instruments connect
music and physics. Apart from this, it should be noted that devices such as
loudspeakers, sound printers, radios, etc. are related to physics. Moreover, music
recording studios or sound printing rooms, anechoic music halls, and gramophones
are all related to physics.

Music and Math

Music theory analyzes the pitch, timing, and structure of music. Rhythm is inherent
in music as breath is in the body. There is no music without rhythm. Counting,
rhythm, scales, intervals, patterns, symbols, tone, pitch are connected to
mathematics. Practising music, paying attention to details, and the discipline
required to learn music can prove to be a strong base for building math skills.
Moreover, research has also shown that children who learn through music retain
information better than those who learn just by verbal instructions. Kids can
remember concepts or facts better when it is put in the form of a song or in a
rhythmic pattern. Any kind of musical element can help you recall important details.
The next time you hear or play any type of music, think of what mathematics and
music have in common and how mathematics is used to create the music you enjoy.

Music and Psychology

Listening to music can be entertaining, and some research suggests that it might
even make you healthier. Music can be a source of pleasure and contentment, but
there are many other psychological benefits as well. Music can relax the mind,
energize the body, and even help people better manage pain.
The notion that music can influence your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours probably
does not come as much of a surprise.
The psychological effects of music can be powerful and wide-ranging. Music theory
is an intervention sometimes used to promote emotional health, help patients cope
with stress and boost psychological well-being.
Music and Sociology
Music is considered an integral part of society. It removes all the barriers - Caste and
class differences, discriminations in religions and problems of linguistic disagreements
are sobered very easily through music. Musicians always feel that they belong to a
single community. Even the audience in a music concert will have the same feeling.
Fine arts, especially music, dance and drama are also a part of entertainment in the
society. Any sociological event will have music. Music is the backbone of dance and
drama. Music stimulates the mind and brings freshness. The values and meanings
associated with music are collectively constructed by both music listeners and
performers. When listening to a piece, they reflect upon their own values and use the
music to make connections between their own experiences and what the piece is
perceived as communicating. The sociology of music looks specifically at these
connections and the musical experiences tied to the person and the music itself

Importance of learning music

Musical training has been shown to lead to improvements in a wide variety of different
skills, including memory and spatial learning for example. In addition, language skills
such as verbal memory, literacy and verbal intelligence have been shown to strongly
benefit from musical training.
Practising music on a regular basis increases concentration, perceptual power,
memory, thoughtfulness, creativity and the level of intelligence. Music also makes the
student disciplined in his routine. Studies in neuroscience show that music can
enhance brain function in children. Learning music helps to develop the left side of the
brain (related to language and reasoning), assists with sound recognition, and teaches
rhythm and rhyme. Making music with other people (like in a band or choir) improves
one's social and emotional skills too.

Saptha Svaras & 12 Svara Sthanas

The twelve svara sthaanas or the sixteen svaraas of an octave are as follows
Nomenclature of svaras and its varieties with abbreviations and serial numbers:-

Shadja - s - No variety

Rishabha - Shudhdha rishabha - Shu.ri

- Chathushruthi rishabha - Cha.ri
 - Shatshruthi rishabha - Shat.ri

Gaandhaara - Shudhdha gaandhaara - Shu.ga

- Saadhaarana gaandhaara - Saa.ga
- Anthara gaandhaara - An. ga

Madhyama - Shudhdha madhyama- Shu.ma

- Prathimadhyama- Pra.ma

Panchama - p - No variety

Dhaivatha - Shudhdha dhaivatha - Shu.dha

- Chatushruthidhaivatha – Cha.dha
- Shatshruthi dhaivatha - Shat.dha

Nishaadha - Shudhdha nishaadha - Shu.ni

- kaishiki nishaadha - Kai.ni
- kaakali nishaadha - Kaa.ni

Table showing the Conversion of twelve svara sthaanaas into sixteen svaras

According to the table given above, Nos. 3 and 4, 10 and 11 have two svaras each in
a single pitch or sthaana. They are Cha.R and Shu.G (3) Saa.G and Shat.R (4)
Cha.D and Shu.N (10) Kai.N and Shat. D (11). These dual svaras in the same pitch
should not come in one raaga. These sixteen svaras were created for the
arrangement of seventy-two mela schemes.

Aarohana :- The systematic ascending order of svaras is Aarohana.

Ex:- s r g m p d n

Avarohana :- The systematic descending order of svaras is avarohana.

Ex:- s n d p m g r

The outline of the Raaga is described through Aarohana and Avarohana

STHAAYI : - In Carnatic music, Sthai or Sthaayi refers to the octave.

MADHYA STHAYI: - The seven svaras from aadhaara shadja in ascending order
that is ‘s r g m p d n’ are called madhya sthaayi.

MANDHRA STHAAYI :- The seven svaras coming downwards from Madhya shadja
i.e. n d p m g r s are called as Mandhra Sthaayi. While writing music in notations
dots are placed below the svaras.
Ex: ṇ ḍ p ̣ ṃ g ṛ ṣ

THAARA STHAAYI :- The shadja coming after the nishaadha of madhya sthaayi is
thaara shadja. The seven svaras from thaara shadja to nishaadha in ascending
order is called Thaara Sthaayi. While writing music in notations dots will be placed
above the svaras.
Ex: ṡ ṙ ġ ṁ ṗ ḋ ṅ

You should know: Below the mandrasthayi there is a sthai called Anumandra ( n̤ d̤ p̤

m̤ g̤ r̤ s̤ ) and above Tarasvai there is a sthai called Atithara ( )

Thaala
Thaala is an inseparable part of music. A tala literally means a 'clap, tapping
one's hand on one's arm (a musical measure). Any rhythmic beat or strike that
measures musical time.
In music, compositions are composed with thaala and raaga. Thaala
enlightens music. Varieties of thaalas in music compositions have paved the way for
variety in music. Any form of music cannot develop without thaala. Even other forms
of music like light music, folk music, film music are composed with thaala only. The
measuring medium of the speed of music compositions is thaala.
There are seven thaalas called Soolaadhi Saptha Thaalas. Added to this
there are Chaapu Thaalas also.
Thaala comprises of angaas called as Thaalaangaas. These angaas are the
bodies or parts of thaala. These angaas are shown in the counting of thaala by hand
gestures. They are laghu, drutha and anudrutha used in soolaadhi thaalaas.

LAGHU : Laghu is counted with a beat called Ghaatha from the palm and counting
of fingers commencing from the little finger anti-clockwise. Ghaatha is shown either
by beating the palm with another palm or on the thigh with sound and finger counts
without sound. Laghu is indicated with the sign ‘ I ’ while writing music in notation.

DHRUTHA: Dhrutha consists of only two angaas, one beat or ghaatha. and
visarjitha. Visarjitha is shown by open hand after the beat without sound. Dhrutha
commences only with a beat or ghaatha. Dhrutha is indicated with ‘0’ sign while
writing music in notation.

ANUDHRUTHA : A single beat is called anudhrutha. Anudhrutha comes only in

jhampe thaala. Anudhrutha is indicated with ‘U’ sign while writing music in notation.
 JAATHI : Jaathi is one of the ten praanaas (energies) pertaining to thaala called as
Thaala Dasha Praanaas. Jaathi pertains only to laghu. (An anga of the thaala).
There are five kinds of jaathis also called as laghu jaathis. They are Thishra,
Chathurashra, Khanda, Mishra and Sankeerna laghu jaathis.

If the Laghu has 4 beats, it is called Chaturasrajaati. If we have 3,5,7,9 beats instead
of four they are called Tishra, Khanda, Mishra, Sankeerna Jaatis respectively.
There are 3 more angaas in addition to Laghu, Dhrutha & Anudhrutha. They are,
Guru, Pluta, Kakapada. The 6 thaalangas are called Shadangas.
In the Suladi Sapta Thaalas, only the first three thaalangas of shadangas namely
anudruta, druta and laghu are there. These seven talas are called Dhruva, Mathya,
Rupaka, Jhumpe, Triputa, Ata and Eka talas.
The duration of Anudruta is one syllable. The duration of Druta is two syllables.
The act of striking the tala is called "Kriye". In this Kriye, come Ghaata
(sasabdhakriye), visirjita (overturning the hand) and counting of fingers
(nishabdhakriye). Anudruta is represented by a Ghaata, Druta by a Ghaata and
visirjita, Laghu by a Ghaata and counting of fingers.

There is Laghu in all of the Sapta Thaalas. Anudrutha is only in Jhumpe taala. In Eka
taala, there is only Laghu. Since there are five Jaathis in the Laghu, and each of the
Sapta Thaalas has a Laghu, each tala becomes five separate talas corresponding to
the five jaathis of the Laghu.

While mentioning the names of Saptatalas, with the jaathis - Dhruva, Mathya,
Rupaka, Ektalas are Chaturashrajati, Jhumpe Thaala as Mishrajati, Triputataala as
Trishrajati, Atatala as Khandajati.

Avarta:
Aavarta is a complete cycle of a thalam.

Eg : || s r g m | p d | n s ||

When writing musical compositions, two long lines are drawn at the beginning and end
of the Thaalavarta, and one long line at the end of each angam.
5 Jaathis of Laghu

Laghu - Jaathi Symbol Akshara Procedure for Taala

Kaala

Tishralaghu | 3 One gaata, two finger count, (little

finger and ring finger)

Chaturashralaghu | 4 One gaata, three finger count,

(little finger, ring finger, middle
finger)

Khandalaghu | 5 One gaata, four finger count, (little

finger, ring finger, middle finger,
index finger)

Mishralaghu | 7 One gaata, six finger count, (little

finger, ring finger, middle finger,
index finger, thumb, again little
finger)

Sankirnalaghu | 9 One gaata, eight finger count,

(little finger, ring finger, middle
finger, index finger, thumb, again,
little finger, ring finger, middle
finger)
Names of Saptathala, Symbols of Angas, Names of Angas, Aksharakaala,
Procedure for Taala

Names of Symbols Names of Angas Akshara Procedure for

Saptathala of Angas Kaala Taala

1 Dhruva |0|| Chaturashra Laghu 4 + 2 + 4 Gaata, 3 finger

taala Dhruta and two + 4= 14 count + gaata,
Visarjita +
Chaturashra Laghu gaata, 3 finger
count ( 2 times)

2 Mathya | 0 | Chaturasra Laghu 4+2+4 = Gaata, 3 finger

taala Dhruta and 10 count + gaata,
Visarjita +
Chaturasra Lagu gaata, 3 finger
count

3 Rupaka 0 | Dhruta and 2+4=6 gaata, visarjita +

taala Chaturasra Lagu gaata, 3 finger
count

4 Jhumpe | U 0 Mixed Light 7+1+2 Gaata, 6 finger

taala Anudruta and = 10 count + gaata +
gaata, visarjita
Dhruta

5 Triputa |00 Tishralaghu 3+2+2 Gaata, Two

taala and two =7 finger count +
gaata, visarjita +
Dhruta gaata, visarjita

6 Ata ||00 Two khanda 5+5+2 Gaata, Four

taala laghus and two + 2 = 14 finger count +
gaata, visarjita +
dhrutas gaata, visarjita

7 Eka | One 4 Gaata, Three

taala Chaturashra Laghu finger count