Octave in Indian Classical Music

Octave or saptak in Indian Classical Music is a collection of 7 notes. It is called octave because the seventh note is repeated. This octave though basically consists of 7 notes, it is further classified into finer notes. The seven basic notes are-

Saa (सा, षड्ज)

Re(रे, रिषभ)

Ga(ग, गंधार)

Ma(म, मध्यम)

Pa(प, पंचम)

Dha(ध, धैवत)

Ni(नि, निषाद)

These notes can again be sung or played in variable forms, i.e. flat or sharp.

Saa and Re are called as fixed notes as they are sung in a unique way. No flat or sharp variant is available. Re, Ga, Dha and Ni can be sung also in a flat note. This will be denoted respectively as-

Re Ga Dha Ni

Ma can be sung also in a sharp variant and it is denoted as Ma.

These 12 Swara or Notes form the basic octave of Indian Classical Music.