September 22, 2025
In Hindustani Classical Music, a Thaat is a system used to classify ragas. It is a theoretical framework that organizes ragas based on the arrangement of seven notes (swaras) in an octave.
There are 10 main Thaats, as proposed by Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande, a key figure in the systematization of Hindustani music in the early 20th century.
🎼 The 10 Thaats of Hindustani Classical Music
Each Thaat is a parent scale comprising seven notes (S, R, G, M, P, D, N) in a specific sequence, from which ragas are derived.
| Thaat | Notes (Swaras) | Key Characteristics |
| Bilawal | S R G M P D N (all shuddha/natural notes) | Equivalent to the Western major scale (Ionian) |
| Khamaj | S R G M P D n (komal ni) | Romantic, lighter ragas like Desh, Khamaj |
| Kafi | S R g M P D n (komal ga, ni) | Evocative, emotional ragas like Bhimpalasi |
| Asavari | S R g M P d n (komal ga, dha, ni) | Pathos-filled ragas like Asavari |
| Bhairavi | S R g M P d n (komal ga, dha, ni) | Used in both classical and light forms (e.g., thumri) |
| Bhairav | S r G M P d N (komal re, dha) | Serious, devotional feel |
| Poorvi | S r G m P d N (komal re, dha; tivra ma) | Evening ragas like Poorvi |
| Marwa | S r G m P D N (komal re, tivra ma) | Introspective, meditative |
| Todi | S r g m P d N (komal re, ga, dha; tivra ma) | Deep, complex ragas like Miyan Ki Todi |
| Bhairang | S R G m P D n (tivra ma, komal ni) | Rare, bright-sounding that |
📝 Notes on Terminology:
🎵 Examples of Ragas by Thaat:
| Thaat | Example Ragas |
| Bilawal | Shankara, Durga, Bihag |
| Khamaj | Desh, Jhinjhoti, Tilak Kamod |
| Kafi | Bhimpalasi, Bageshree, Kafi |
| Asavari | Asavari, Darbari Kanada |
| Bhairavi | Bhairavi, Sindhu Bhairavi |
| Bhairav | Bhairav, Ahir Bhairav |
| Poorvi | Poorvi, Puriya Dhanashree |
| Marwa | Marwa, Puriya |
| Todi | Miyan Ki Todi, Gujari Todi |
| Bhairang | Not widely used, includes rare ragas |