Indian Music Notation System

Notation is a science of Notes. One cannot sing a poem written on a paper, one can of course only read the words. Notation is that system which directs a singer to follow a musical composition written on a paper. On enable himself to give a definite musical expression to written words the singer needs to know the given notation system. Hence any poetical composition marked with prescribed note (Swara) and Rhythm (Taal) symbols is called its notation (Swaralipi).
Notation System was conceived in Indian music as early as 250 BC. at the time of Panini. But it was only in embryonic stage, and could not be of much use to the students of music. Thereafter due to certain reasons no concrete efforts was made to develop the notation system. First of all the maestros preferred to teach their students in person and secondly due to the absence of printing technology, notation system could not evolve. Students had to fall back on their memory to register a piece of music only by hearing from their teachers (Gurus).
In fact it was only a century ago that simple and comprehendible notation system came into existence and the innovators were two great men:
1 Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar, and
2 Pandit Vishnu Digambar Bhatkhande

It is an indisputable fact that these notation systems can no way claim to be perfect. Minute skills of a maestro’s performance cannot be reflected through any kind of script or notation.

Well, Pandit Vishnu Digambar Bhatkhande and Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar ran from pillow to post collecting song compositions from maestros and musicians. They left no stone unturned to convert their collections into notations. Later they published these collections in formof books. “Kramik Pustak Malika” in six volumes is attributed to Pandit Vishnu Digambar Bhatkhande. Vishnu Digambar Paluskar too published a few books of his collected songs but his notation system underwent some changes due to which the book “Raag Vigyan” which is followed by his disciples is different from the original ones. By and large, these notation systems stirred a kind of movement in the world of music. Indian music gained popularity and here was something in black and white that interested learner could rely upon.

Notations system of music was designed with a simple objective to give Indian Music art, a discipline. Ragas kept on getting invented by noted maestros after the system was brought in effect but these were clubbed into the same notation system. In fact, it became easier for musicians to create something with their own patent because the notation system was already in place. Notation systems however do not effect the folk music of India but if observed, it may be noticed that different folk music co relate to some or the other Raga. In fact, certain Ragas were produced on the base track of some folk music. Ragas also relate to seasons. There are different ragas which have been created to suit different seasons and time periods but talking about them here would take volumes to unfold. But all the ragas of the great Indian music culture is governed by the notation system.

Linus Orakles
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