THAT (thaat) - THE INDIAN MODES
The that (thaat) is the specification as to which of the alternate forms of swar will be chosen. It has been pointed out elsewhere that several of the swar have alternate forms. The permutations of the various forms give rise to numerous scales with vastly differing intervals. Therefore the concept of that is essentially the same as the Western concept of a mode.
THE TEN THATS (Thaats)
Listen to Bilawal
Listen to Khammaj
Listen to Kafi
Listen to Asawari
Listen to Bhairavi
Listen to Bhairav
Listen to Kalyan
Listen to Marwa
Listen to Purvi
Listen to Todi
(note - The above notation has been normalised to the tonic of C. No absolute pitch is implied)
There are problems whenever one is talking about the number of thats. Generally only ten are acknowledged; twenty are in common usage; while 32 are possible given present concepts of scale construction. This has created a lot of confusion in north Indian pedagogy. Three common scales which are not part of the ten thats are Ahir Bhairav, Charukesi, or Kiruvani.
OTHER ASPECTS OF RAG
- Samay (Time)
- Vadi / Samavadi (Importance of the Notes
- Arohi / Avarohi (Ascending / Descending Structure)
- Pakad