What are the 12 Swarasthanas in Carnatic Music?

We have already discussed what Swaras are and their types. We also know now that some swaras (vikruthi swaras) have different variants. So, in an octave, we now have: S, R1, R2, R3, G1, G2, G3, M1, M2, P, D1, D2, D3, N1, N2 & N3. In total, that gives 16 possibilities. 

Not all of those 16 possibilities occupy different pitch locations. When arranged in ascending pitch order, some of them share space – in other words, they coincide in pitch location. Therefore, within an octave, there are 12 distinct pitch positions called Swarasthānās. Hence, in simple words, Swarasthāna is a distinct pitch position within an octave.

Here are the 12 Swarasthānās (in ascending order of pitch):

• S – Shadja
• R1 – Shuddha Rishabha
• R2 – Chathushruthi Rishabha sharing space with G1 – Shuddha Gāndhāra
• R3 – Shatshruthi Rishabha sharing space with G2 – Sādhārana Gāndhāra
• G3 – Anthara Gāndhāra
• M1 – Shuddha Madhyama
• M2 – PrathiMadhyama
• P – Panchama
• D1 – Shuddha Dhaivatha
• D2 – Chathushruthi Dhaivatha sharing space with N1 – Shuddha Nishādha
• D3 – Shatshruthi Dhaivatha sharing space with N2 – Kaishiki Nishādha
• N3 – Kākali Nishādha

What do we know so far?

• The seven swaras are the primary pitch identities. 
• The twelve Swarasthānās are their pitch positions. 

Next, we will understand the 22 Shruthi system. If you are more interested in practical music-making, you may skip ahead to the concept of Rāga (coming soon).