Notation Systems and Writing Notation
Two systems, one layout
Both Bhatkhande and Vishnu Digambar Paluskar notate horizontally, left to right, in singing order.
- Bhatkhande: capitals for shuddha (S R G M P D N), small letters for komal (r g d n), a marked M for teevra madhyam.
- Paluskar: Devanagari letters, with his own strokes for komal and teevra swaras.
- Shared: dot below = mandra saptak, dot above = taar; avagraha (-) to hold a swar; single danda (|) ends a vibhag; double danda (||) ends the composition; 0 marks khali, x or a number marks tali/sam.
Method for writing notation
- Write matra numbers above the line.
- Fix the taal's vibhag and khali positions first.
- Place each syllable or swar under its matra, using avagraha for held notes.
- Read it back against the theka; the count must equal the taal's matras.
Worked example
Teentaal theka in notation - matras 1–4: dha dhin dhin dha | 5–8: dha dhin dhin dha | 9–12: dha tin tin ta | 13–16: ta dhin dhin dha || with x on 1 and 0 on 9. A sargam line such as S r G m | P d N S' fits Bhairav's aroha and takes a dot over the final S.
Traps
- Marking khali at matra 1 of Teentaal.
- Writing komal swaras in capitals.
- Omitting saptak dots, so mandra and taar look identical.
- Letting a line run to 15 or 17 matras.