Quiz on Carnatic music Swaras

1. WHAT ARE THE SEVEN BASIC SWARAS OF CARNATIC MUSIC?

The seven basic swaras of Carnatic music are named Shadjam (Sa),
Rishabam (Ri), Gandharam (Ga),Madhyamam (Ma),Panchamam (Pa),
Dhaivatham (Da) and Nishadam (Ni)

2. WHICH TWO SWARAS ARE INVARIANT?

Shadjam (Sa) and Panchamam (Pa) are invariant. Whatever be the raga, Sa and Pa do not change. Thus, Sa and Pa are called Prakriti Swaras (one that does not change) and the rest are called Vikruti swaras (one that changes). The Vikruti swaras have sub-types. We will look at them in the questions below.

3. HOW MANY PITCH POSSIBILITIES/TYPES DOES RISHABHAM (RI) HAVE? WHAT ARE THEY CALLED?

R (Rishabam) is of three types namely: Shuddha Rishabam (R1), Chatushruti Rishabam (R2) and Shatshruti Rishabam (R3).

4. HOW MANY PITCH POSSIBILITIES/TYPES DOES GANDHARAM (GA) HAVE? WHAT ARE THEY CALLED?

G (Gandharam) is of three types namely: Shuddha Gandharam (G1), Sadhaarana Gandharam (G2) and Anthara Gandharam (G3).

5. HOW MANY PITCH POSSIBILITIES/TYPES DOES MADHYAMAM (MA) HAVE? WHAT ARE THEY CALLED?

M (Madhyamam) is of two types, Shuddha Madhyamam(M1) and Prathi Madhyamam(M2)

6. HOW MANY PITCH POSSIBILITIES/TYPES DOES DAIVATAM (DA) HAVE? WHAT ARE THEY CALLED?

D (Daivatham) is of three types, Shuddha Daivatham (D1), Chathushruthi Daivatham (D2) and Shatshruti Daivatham (D3).

7. HOW MANY PITCH POSSIBILITIES/TYPES DOES NISHADAM (NI) HAVE? WHAT ARE THEY CALLED?

N (Nishadam) is of three types, Shuddha Nishadam (N1), Kaisiki Nishadam (N2) and Kaakali Nishadam (N3).

8. WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RISHABHAM AND GANDHARAM? LIKEWISE, BETWEEN DAIVATAM AND NISHADAM?

R2 = G1, and R3 = G2
i.e Chatushruti Rishabam (R2) is the same as Shuddha Gandharam (G1)
and
Shatshruti Rishabam (R3) is the same as Sadhaarana Gandharam (G2)
Likewise,
D2 = N1 and D3 = N2
i.e Chatushruti Daivatham (D2) is the same as Shuddha Nishadam(N1)
and
Shatshruti Daivatham (D3) is the same as Kaisiki Nishadam (N2)

9. WHICH SWARA STHANAS CANNOT OCCUR SIMULTANEOUSLY?

Because of the above mentioned relationship, whenever R2 occurs, only G2 or G3 can occur, similarly when R3 occurs, only G3 can occur. This is true in the case of Da and Ni also. In other words, the following combination of swaras cannot occur together in the same raga:
(R2 & G1)
(R3 & G2)
(D2 & N1)
(D3 & N2)

Shatshruthi Rishabam (R3),Suddha gandaram (G1), shatsruthi deivatham (D3)and sudha nishadam (N1) are considered as vivadi swaras and the raagas which have any of these are vivadi raagas. A Vivadi svara (dissonant note) is a svara which takes over the place of another svara at certain times. Thus sometimes, Shatsruthi Rishabam takes over the place of Sadharana Gandharam; Suddha Gandharam takes over the place of Chatusruthi Rishabam; Shatsruthi Dhaivatam takes over the place of Kaisiki Nishadam; Suddha Nishadam takes over the place of chatusruthi dhaivatam.

10. HOW MANY MELAKARTA RAGAS DO WE HAVE? HOW IS THAT NUMBER DERIVED?

Melakartha ragas are better known as the 'Janaka' ragas meaning 'parent' ragas i.e. the ragas from which other ragas are born or derived. Melakartha ragas contain all the 7 swaras, Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Da, Ni in their arohanam and avarohanam in the exact ascending and descending pattern.

The total number of 'Melakartha' ragas is 72. The 72 melakarthas are divided into two equal groups each containing 36 ragas.
1. Shuddha Madhyamam melakartha ragas – sampoorna ragas based on shuddha madhyamam (M1)
2. Prati Madhyamam melakartha ragas – sampoorna ragas based on Prati madhyamam (M2)

The 72 melakarthas can also be split into 12 groups called chakrams. Each chakram contains 6 ragams.

In order to understand how this number is derived, let us begin by keeping M1 constant and vary the other four swaras, Ri, Ga, Da and Ni. Keeping R1, G1 constant, Da and Ni can be varied and it is possible to get 6 ragas totally with the S R1 G1 M1 series (D1 N1, D1 N2, D1 N3, D2 N2, D2 N3 and D3 N3). Similarly it is possible to make a series with S R1 G2 M1..., S R1 G3 M1..., S R2 G2 M1..., S R2 G3 M1... and S R3 G3 M1.... Thus we would arrive at 6 Chakras and 36 ragas. All these ragas having a common M1 swara are called the 'Suddha Madhyama' Ragas. By replacing M1 with M2 in each of the 36 raga, it is possible to get a M2 series of 36 ragas, called the Prati Madhyama Ragas. Thus we arrive at the total number of 72 Melakarthas.