Hear the unheard- Shruti

As we have seen in the earlier posts, that Indian Classical Music has  seven basic  notes which are subdivided into12 finer notes. But this does not stop here. The musicians in India were much more considered about the flavor of the Raga. As a result, they needed something which was even finer. So the divided these notes in again smaller units, which are called as Shruti.

                         In very simple word, Shruti is defined as, what can be heard is a Shruti. So, human ear I think must be able to differentiate with some practice, these 22 notes. In other words, this is the maximum resolution of the human ear. Initially, we have seen that Saa and Pa are sung in only one variant. But, both of them have 3 Shruti. It means, Saa can be sung in 3 different notes.

                         Knowing and distinguishing Shruti requires very tremendous musical training and also,a very practiced ear. It was said that in earlier days, expert listeners would go to the show of an performer. If the Shruti was sung perfectly, they would seat otherwise leave. Shruti, though much unexplored today, is the most subtle and most important part of Indian Classical Music.

Some Basics-

Notes and Rhythm

Which are the 12 notes