Indian Classical Music Notation System : Raaga

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4. Raaga (Raag, Raaga, Raga, Rāgam): It refers to the melodic modes of the song. It is akin to the Western scales. Just as in scales, it is a general form of the melody that gives a set of intervals that form notes that are used in the piece. Raags have a definite emotionality attached to each o them. A variant of a Raag is a Thaat that has 7 notes, in Sa to Ni sequence (frequency), having no difference in their ascending and descending forms, having only one version of a note Suddha or Vikrit and having no emotional connotation. These are more like individual “modes” that are used to compose Western scales

Before naming the Thaats, let us describe the basic Chromatic Scale pattern as can be expressed in the alphanumeric notation of the Hindustani System:

Hindustani   Interval     Note Equivalent for
Notation     Name         Sa =C Chromatic Scale

Sa   = Perfect Unison  =  C
Re1  = Minor second    =  C#
Re2  = Major second    =  D
Ga1  = Minor third     =  D#
Ga2  = Major third     =  E
Ma1  = Perfect fourth  =  F
Ma2  = Aug.4th/Dim.5th =  F#
Pa   = Perfect fifth   =  G
Dha1 = Minor sixth     =  G#
Dha2 = Major sixth     =  A
Ni1  = Minor seventh   =  A#
Ni2  = Major seventh   =  B
Sa   = Perfect octave  =  C (octave)

Common Thaats are as follows:
1. Bilawal = Ionian mode, equivalent to C Major Scale
2. Khamaj = Mixolydian mode
3. Kafi = Dorian mode, equivalent to C Major Scale starting on B
4. Asavari = Aeolian mode, equivalent to Melodic Minor Scale
5. Bhairavi = Phrygian mode
6. Kalyan = Lydian mode

Modes are the equivalents of scales in ancient Greek music theory.


Here's the Pdf to Chapter 8.