The notation system used across Raga Sangrah follows the PCM (Perfecting Carnatic Music) standard. All notation strings, audio playback, and voice synthesis are governed by this reference.
Carnatic music uses 12 unique pitch positions (swarasthanas) out of 16 named notes. Sa and Pa are fixed; the remaining 10 have two variants each. Reference: CCRMA — The 12 Notes
| # | Swara | Mandra | Madhya | Tara |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sa | Ṣ | S | Ṡ |
| 2 | Ri₁ | Ṛ₁ | R₁ | Ṙ₁ |
| 3 | Ri₂ | Ṛ₂ | R₂ | Ṙ₂ |
| 4 | Ga₁ | G̣₁ | G₁ | Ġ₁ |
| 5 | Ga₂ | G̣₂ | G₂ | Ġ₂ |
| 6 | Ma₁ | Ṃ₁ | M₁ | Ṁ₁ |
| 7 | Ma₂ | Ṃ₂ | M₂ | Ṁ₂ |
| 8 | Pa | P̣ | P | Ṗ |
| 9 | Da₁ | Ḍ₁ | D₁ | Ḋ₁ |
| 10 | Da₂ | Ḍ₂ | D₂ | Ḋ₂ |
| 11 | Ni₁ | Ṇ₁ | N₁ | Ṅ₁ |
| 12 | Ni₂ | Ṇ₂ | N₂ | Ṅ₂ |
R₃ = G₁Shatsruthi Rishabham = Suddha Gantharam(300¢ · D♯/E♭)D₃ = N₁Shatsruthi Dhaivatham = Suddha Nishadham(1000¢ · A♯/B♭)Vivadhi notes share the same pitch as another note — they are enharmonic equivalents used in specific Melakarta ragas. In practice, Raga Sangrah uses G₁ and G₂ for Gandhara, and N₁ and N₂ for Nishada.
Subscript digits (₁ ₂ ₃) denote the variant number. R₂ = Chatusruthi Rishabha, G₂ = Antara Gandhara, N₁ = Kaishika Nishadam, N₂ = Kaakali Nishadam. Ratios follow the Carnatic just-intonation system (12-shruti scale).
~^/\w*()Gamaka markers are appended directly to the swara token, e.g. G~ = Gandhara with Kampita, R/ = Rishabha with Jaru slide.
|||-,:;All notation strings must preserve these markers exactly — no omissions of , - : ; | || are permitted.
Colour key: sky-700 = Madhya Sthayi · amber-700 = Tara Sthayi · rose = Mandra Sthayi. Beat separators | divide aksharas; || marks the end of the avartanam.
Carnatic students are traditionally taught Mayamalavagowla first — it uses one variant of each swara, making it the clearest introduction to the 12-note system.