Notation Systems: Hindustani, Paluskar, Bhatkhande and Carnatic
What the domain tests
This domain tests whether you can read and write notation in the system prescribed by your syllabus, and whether you can distinguish Hindustani from Carnatic notation without mixing their symbols.
Core rules and concepts
- Hindustani notation records sargam (Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni), octave dots, duration, and tala positions. A composition is normally laid out in vibhags with sam, tali and khali marked.
- The Vishnu Digambar Paluskar and Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande systems are both Hindustani. They share sargam names but differ in symbol conventions and printed layout. Learn the symbol table prescribed in your book; do not assume the two are identical.
- Common marks include × for sam, numbers for tali, 0 for khali, dots for register, and dashes for held notes. Komal and tivra svaras need distinct signs.
- Carnatic notation also uses svara names, but it is organised by avartana and tala angas. It uses its own signs for gamaka and register. It is not a variant of Bhatkhande notation.
Worked example
A Teental line reads: × S R G M | 5 P M G R | 0 S R G M | 13 P - - -. Reasoning: Teental has four vibhags of four matras. × marks sam at matra 1; 5 marks the first tali; 0 marks khali at matra 9; 13 marks the second tali. Each dash holds the previous svara for one matra. The line therefore fills sixteen matras.
Traps that cost marks
Do not place khali in the wrong vibhag. Do not count vibhags as matras. Do not use the same sign for komal and tivra. Do not insert Carnatic gamaka signs into a Hindustani answer. Do not omit sam marks in a gat or bandish notation question.