Learn the basics of the Indian Classical Music System – Svara and Saptak

Naad

The sweet sounds generated via regular and stable frequencies are known as Naad. In other words, the sounds that come in use of music are called Naad.

A few characteristics of Naad –

• We can produce these naads lightly (chhota naad) as well as heavily (bada naad). This basically refers to the volume with which a naad is played or sung. For instance – if we pump less air into the harmonium, the volume with which the sound is produced is lower.
  This can also be understood in terms of wavelength. The wavelength of sound waves generated by chhota naad is smaller as compared to that of bada naad.
• We can sense whether a particular naad should be placed higher or lower compared to others. For instance – if I play two naads, you can tell which one should be placed higher by judging their frequencies.
  – When compared with Sa, Re is regarded as Ooncha Svara.
  – When compared with Ga, Re is regarded as Neecha Svara.
• Different kinds of naads have their own character. They have a quality about them that distinguishes them from others. For instance, we can easily tell a Harmonium sound from a Sitar sound.

Shruti

In a saptak, there may exist infinite naads that are higher or lower than each other. However, these naads would be so close to each other that it would be impossible to tell them apart. For this reason, Indian classical music system acknowledges 22 naads in a saptak that are uniquely identifiable and can be sung. The collection for these 22 naads is known as shruti.

Svara

Svara (also spelled Swara) refers to a musical note or a sound that is fundamental to a melody. It is a basic building block of Indian classical music.

Each Svara has a unique frequency, and the combination of different Svaras creates a melody. Svaras are the basic unit of the Saptak (seven-note scale) and are used to create the melodic structure of a raag.

Saptak

Saptak refers to the system of seven notes that make up a musical scale. Saptak literally means “group of seven” in Sanskrit. The seven notes of the Saptak are named Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, and Ni.

Saptak is divided into three parts or registers, called the Mandra Saptak (lower octave), Madhya Saptak (middle octave), and Taar Saptak (upper octave). Each register has a unique tonal quality and emotional character.