As an expert in the field of musicology, I am well-versed in the intricacies of various musical systems around the world, including the rich and complex system of Indian classical music. Indian classical music is known for its profound depth and the intricate relationship between rhythm, melody, and the philosophical underpinnings that inform its practice.

In Indian music, the concept of notes is somewhat different from the Western chromatic scale. The Indian system is based on a structure known as "Sargam," which is a solmization system that represents the notes used in Indian classical music. The term "swaras" is used to denote these musical notes, and they are the building blocks of melodies in Indian music.

The octave in Indian music is indeed divided into twelve microtonal intervals, but it's important to note that these intervals are not equally spaced as they are in the Western chromatic scale. Each of these twelve notes in Indian music has a specific name and is derived from the ancient concept of "shrutis," which are considered the smallest measurable units of musical sound. The swaras are named as follows: Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni, and then the octave Sa again, followed by the sharp or flattened versions of the last five notes (Komal Re, Komal Ga, Komal Pa, Komal Dha, and Komal Ni).

However, when it comes to the composition and performance of a piece of music, Indian classical music typically focuses on a heptatonic scale, which means it uses a subset of seven swaras. These seven notes are not fixed and can vary depending on the raga, which is a melodic framework that provides the basis for a musical performance. Each raga has its own specific pattern of swaras and their relative importance within the composition.

The concept of a raga is central to Indian classical music and is much more than just a scale. It is a sophisticated system that encompasses a set of rules that dictate which notes can be used, how they can be used, and the emotional qualities they are meant to evoke. The raga is also closely tied to time, with different ragas being traditionally associated with specific times of the day or night, believed to enhance the emotional and spiritual experience of the music.

In performance, musicians often improvise within the framework of a raga, exploring the relationships between the swaras and the emotional depth that each can convey. This improvisation, known as "alap," "jod," or "vilambit," is a highly skilled art that requires a deep understanding of the raga and the ability to spontaneously create beautiful and expressive melodies.

In summary, while Indian music does have twelve swaras that make up the octave, the actual composition and performance of a piece of music typically revolves around a subset of seven notes, as dictated by the raga. The system is incredibly nuanced, with each note having the potential to convey a wide range of emotions and meanings, making Indian classical music a deeply expressive and spiritual art form.

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Indian music also has an octave divided into twelve notes. These twelve notes are called swaras; they are not tuned like the notes of the chromatic scale (please see below). Also similarly to Western music, only seven notes are available for any given piece of music.read more >>