glossary

Chakra
One of the twelve organizational groupings within the melakartha system. Each chakra categorizes raagas according to specific combinations of swaras.

Gamakkam
Microtonal ornamentation characteristic of Carnatic music. Gamakkams are derived from the twenty-two shruthis and give each raaga its distinctive expressive identity.

Gurukul System
A traditional Indian pedagogical model in which students live with their teacher (guru) and learn through immersive oral transmission, imitation, repetition, and memorization.

Janaka Raaga
A parent raaga within the seventy-two melakartha system. Janaka raagas contain all seven swaras in both ascending and descending order.

Janya Raaga
A derived raaga formed from a janaka (parent) raaga. Janya raagas may omit notes, alter ascending and descending patterns, or incorporate characteristic melodic phrases. They are unlimited in number.

Melakartha System
The systematic classification of seventy-two parent raagas in Carnatic music is organized according to specific combinations of swaras and divided into twelve chakras.

Raaga
A melodic framework constructed from specific swaras and characteristic melodic movements. A raaga functions not merely as a scale but as a structured system of pitch organization, ornamentation, and expressive identity.

Sahithya
The lyrical text of a Carnatic musical composition.

Saptaswaras
The seven fundamental pitch syllables of Carnatic music: Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, and Ni.

Shruti

1.     The tonic or foundational pitch selected for performance.

2.     The system of twenty-two microtonal pitch divisions within the octave in Carnatic theory.

Shruthi Box
An electronic instrument that produces a sustained drone emulating the tanpura, used to establish and maintain the performer’s shruthi.

Swara
A pitch syllable in Carnatic music (Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni) that functions as a foundational melodic unit.

Swarasthana
The specific pitch variant or positional manifestation of a swara within its pitch region.

Taala
The rhythmic framework that structures time and cyclical meter in Carnatic music.

Tanpura
A long-necked string instrument that produces a continuous drone emphasizing Sa and Pa (and occasionally Ma), providing the tonal foundation for Carnatic performance and instruction.