In the context of Indian classical music, Pancham refers to the fifth svara (note) out of the seven fundamental notes that form the basis of both Hindustani and Carnatic music systems.
Pancham holds a significant position as one of the essential building blocks of melodies (ragas) in Indian classical traditions. It is universally recognized as the fifth note in the melodic scale, following Shadja (Sa), Rishabh (Re), Gandhar (Ga), and Madhyam (Ma), and preceding Dhaivat (Dha) and Nishad (Ni).
Understanding Pancham in Music
- Position in Scale: Pancham is the fifth svara in the sequence of the seven notes, known as Sapta Svaras, which are fundamental to the melodic structure of Indian classical music.
- Notation and Pronunciation:
- The complete form of the syllable is
प(Pa), as written in Devanagari script. - For simplicity and ease of singing, it is commonly pronounced as Pa.
- Its standard musical notation is P.
- The complete form of the syllable is
- Name in Devanagari: It is also referred to as पंचम in the Devanagari script.
- Musical Systems: Pancham is a core and indispensable component in both the major Indian classical music traditions:
- Hindustani Music (North Indian classical music)
- Carnatic Music (South Indian classical music)
The Seven Svaras (Sapta Svaras) Explained
To fully appreciate Pancham's role, it is helpful to understand its place within the complete set of seven svaras that form the basis of Indian classical music:
| Svara (Full Name) | Common Notation | Position in Scale | Characteristics (General) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shadja | Sa | 1st | Tonic, root note |
| Rishabh | Re | 2nd | Can be flat or natural |
| Gandhar | Ga | 3rd | Can be flat or natural |
| Madhyam | Ma | 4th | Can be natural or sharp |
| Pancham | Pa (P) | 5th | Natural, stable (achala) |
| Dhaivat | Dha | 6th | Can be flat or natural |
| Nishad | Ni | 7th | Can be flat or natural |
Pancham, along with Shadja (Sa), is often considered an achala (immovable or natural) svara because it typically does not have sharp (tivra) or flat (komal) variations in most ragas, making it a stable and foundational pillar within the melodic framework.
