16 Swaras & 12 Positions

One of the most common questions in Carnatic music theory is: Why are there 16 swaras when an octave physically contains only 12 chromatic frets?

Achala Swaras (Fixed Notes):

• Shadjam (S): Position 1 (Tonic)
• Panchamam (P): Position 8 (Fifth)

Chala Swaras (Variable Notes): The remaining 5 notes (R, G, M, D, N) each have multiple varieties. Due to historical musicological evolution, four pairs of swaras share identical physical frequencies:

• Position 3: Chatusruti Rishabham (R2) ≡ Shuddha Gandharam (G1)
• Position 4: Shatsruti Rishabham (R3) ≡ Sadharana Gandharam (G2)
• Position 10: Chatusruti Dhaivatam (D2) ≡ Shuddha Nishadam (N1)
• Position 11: Shatsruti Dhaivatam (D3) ≡ Kaisiki Nishadam (N2)

This 16-swara system allows all 72 Melakartha ragas to mathematically be expressed with strictly one R, one G, one M, one D, and one N!