Ragam

'Yat Ranjayiti iti ragam" is how ragam is defined in one of the earliest texts in Indian music. This means that Ragam is a part of music which can make a man's mind happy. Broadly, it means that Ragam is the part of music which can bring about a tirade of emotions in us. Each ragam has a definite collection and orders of Swarams (the basic notes). In Carnatic music, there are 7 basic notes of which there are 12 varieties.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The seven basic swarams of carnatic music are:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ragas are classified as Janaka ragas and Janya ragas.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Janaka ragas are the ragas from which the Janya ragas are created. Janaka ragas are grouped together very beautifully using a scheme called katapayadi sutra and are organised as Melakarta ragas.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Janya ragas are derived from the Janaka ragas using a combination of the swarams in the parent raga.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~