Gram
In ancient music theory (Natya Shastra and later texts), a gram (grama) is a set of seven notes arranged with fixed shruti intervals; it served as the parent scale from which melodies were drawn. Three grams are named: shadja gram, madhyam gram and gandhar gram. The gandhar gram went out of practical use early, and texts say it "went to heaven". Gram theory is the ancestor of the later thaat and mela systems.
Murchana
A murchana is the orderly ascending and descending of the seven notes of a gram, starting from any one of its notes. Since a gram has seven notes, it can give seven murchanas. Starting the same sequence from a different note changes the pattern of intervals, much as starting the white keys of a keyboard from a different key gives a different scale. This idea of "shifting the tonic" helps explain how new scales were formed.
Varna
Varna is the manner of singing or moving through notes. There are four varnas:
- Sthayi varna: staying on or repeating one note (Sa Sa Sa).
- Arohi varna: moving upward (Sa Re Ga).
- Avarohi varna: moving downward (Ga Re Sa).
- Sanchari varna: a mixture of the above (Sa Re Sa Ga Re).
Alankar
An alankar (also called palta) is a patterned sequence of notes built on varnas, repeated step by step through the octave. Example: Sa Re Ga, Re Ga Ma, Ga Ma Pa ... and back down. Alankars decorate the raga and, in training, develop voice control, accuracy of pitch and finger technique. In Karnatak music the basic practice exercises (sarali varisai, janta varisai and alankaras in the seven suladi taals) serve the same purpose.
Key points
- Gram = ancient parent scale; three grams: shadja, madhyam, gandhar.
- Gandhar gram fell out of use.
- Murchana = sequence of seven notes starting from a chosen note of a gram.
- Four varnas: sthayi, arohi, avarohi, sanchari.
- Alankar = regular note pattern based on varnas; also called palta.
Exam tips
- Questions often give a short note pattern and ask which varna it shows; look at its direction.
- Remember that alankar in music is a note pattern, not a figure of speech as in literature.