Decoding the miscoded rāga names in carnatic music

Abstract

Carnatic music, a classical form of music practiced in South India is rich in melody where rÈga (approximate equivalent of 'mode' in the Western classical music) occupies a central role. Certain RÈga (called the melakarta or the parent rÈga) names are encrypted with a number. Knowing this number helps in determining the musical notes of the corresponding rÈga. This encoding is done using ka-apayÈdi method, an ancient Indian way of encrypting numbers in linguistic phrases. Herein, we highlight few errors in using ka-apayÈdi formula for encrypting numbers in certain rÈga names. [Note: We follow the ITRANS scheme with appropriate diacritics [Supplementary Information (SI)-1] of transliterating Sanskrit terms in Roman script]. © 2020 Indian National Science Academy. All rights reserved.