'Yat Ranjayiti iti ragam" is how ragam is defined in one of the earliest texts in Indian music. This means that Ragam is a part of music which can make a man's mind happy. Broadly, it means that Ragam is the part of music which can bring about a tirade of emotions in us. Each ragam has a definite collection and orders of Swarams (the basic notes). In Carnatic music, there are 7 basic notes of which there are 12 varieties.

The seven basic swarams of carnatic music are Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni

Ragas are classified as Janaka ragas and Janya ragas.

Janaka ragas are the ragas from which the Janya ragas are created. Janaka ragas are grouped together very beautifully using a scheme called katapayadi sutra and are organised as Melakarta ragas.

Janya ragas are derived from the Janaka ragas using a combination of the swarams in the parent raga.

External links

• Swarams
• Katapayadhi Sutra
• Melakarta