M͟U͟S͟I͟N͟G͟S͟
The 16 swara concept is the backbone of the 72 Melakarta Scheme of Carnatic Music. Besides the 12 basic notes, there are 4 more notes, known as the Vivadi swaras.
A musician from North India came to Trichur and wanted to learn Dikshitar kriti “Maha Ganapatim” in Natta. He had heard the kriti before. I started to teach him, singing the first 4 swaras of the Arohana, sa ri ga ma. The ri in Natta is the Shadshruti ri, which corresponds to the Komal ga of Hindustani music. The North Indian musician said: “Sir, this is Komal ga and how do pronounce it as ri?” I tried to make him understand about the 16 swaras, but he could not digest it. Later, I taught him a small kriti in Mohanam. (Bhupali in Hindustani Music)
Shadshruti ri has the same frequency of Sadharana ga, Suddha Gandharam has the same frequency of Chatursruti ri, Shadshruthi dha has the same frequency of Kaishiki ni and Suddha nishada has the same frequency of Chaturshruti dha. That was why our North Indian friend was astonished.
But the gamakas in Shadshruti ri and Shadshruthi dha differentiates them from Sadharana ga and Kaishiki ni. But Suddha ga and Suddha ni are sung without any gamaka. But the corresponding Chaturshruti ri and Chaturshruti dha are always sung with gamakas!!!
That is why the 72 Melakarta Scheme is so authentic.
narayanan.desamangalam 