Brief Analysis

A close look at the pattern of the Melakartha scheme reveals the following:

1. First 36 ragas have "Suddha Madhyama (M1)"
2. Remaining 36 have "Prati Madhyama (M2)"
3. The other 4 variable swaras ie., R, G, D, and N are symmetrical for these Suddha Madhyama and Pratimadhyama ragas, in the same 36 for Suddha Madhyama and No.1 to No. 36 for Prati Madhyama ragas, instead of the conventional 1 to 72. The following table would make the point more lucid.
4. These 72 Melakartha ragas are divided into 12 chakras, each consisting of 6 ragas.
5. R, G, D, and N in the ragas of all 12 chakras follow a definite pattern as explained below:
• R and G are same for all the 6 ragas in a chakra.
• Suddha Dha (D1) is common for the first 3 ragas of all chakras.
• 4^th and 5^th ragas of all chakras have Chatursruti Dha (D2).
• Chatursruti Dha (D3) is common for the 6^th raga of all chakras.
• Suddha Ni (N1) is common for all the first raga of all chakras.
• Second and fourth ragas of all chakras have Kaishika Ni (N2).
• Kakali Ni (N3) is common for the third, fifth, and sixth ragas of all chakras.