Raga Knowledge and Notation (Swaralipi)
What Swaralipi tests
Swaralipi questions ask you to write or read aroha-avaroha, sargam phrases and bandish lines with correct swara symbols, octave dots, komal/tivra marks, and tala divisions. The exam tests accuracy, not decoration.
Notation rules
- Use S R G M P D N for shuddha. Komal swaras are marked with a line below or lower-case in many textbooks; tivra Ma is marked with a line above or M^t. Keep one convention throughout your answer.
- A dot below means mandra saptak; a dot above means tara saptak. Do not put dots on every note; mark only the note that changes octave.
- A vertical bar separates vibhags; a double bar marks the end of an avartan and normally falls on sam. In Teental, write four groups of four matras.
- In a bandish, sthai is notated first, then antara. The sam should coincide with a strong text syllable, not necessarily the first written note of a line.
- For aroha and avaroha, write the notes in order; do not add ornaments unless asked.
Worked example
Notate the Bhoopali phrase S R G P D P G R S in Teental, starting on sam. Reasoning: Bhoopali uses shuddha S R G P D and omits Ma and Ni. The phrase has nine notes, so it will occupy more than one vibhag. If the first S is on matra 1, then R=2, G=3, P=4 | D=5, P=6, G=7, R=8 | S=9. The double bar must come after matra 16, so either extend the phrase or leave the remaining matras as rests. Do not squeeze nine notes into one vibhag. Mark sam at matra 1 and show the tala cycle clearly.
Traps
- Writing komal Re in Bhoopali, which is a shuddha-only pentatonic raga.
- Putting tivra Ma in a raga that uses shuddha Ma.
- Forgetting that Yaman's Ma is tivra, while Bhairav's Re and Dha are komal.
- Letting the notation run past the tala without a double bar.