Pandit Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande - Taat System

North Indian classical music is known as Hindustani classical music, while South Indian classical music is called Carnatic classical music.

A major contribution to Hindustani music in the early 20th century was made by Pandit Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande. His most significant achievement was the formulation of the Ten Thaat System, which provided a systematic method for classifying and teaching ragas.

Contribution of Pandit Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande

Pandit Bhatkhande traveled extensively across India to study regional musical traditions. He visited Baroda, Gwalior, Rampur, and other important centers of music, where he interacted with leading ustads and pandits. He studied under disciples of legendary musicians, including the lineage of Tansen, particularly through Ustad Wazir Khan, a renowned veena player.

Based on his research, Bhatkhande developed a coordinated system that bridged the gap between the oral guru–shishya tradition and written documentation. He organized the All India Music Conferences, creating dialogue between Hindustani and Carnatic musicians.

His work was deeply influenced by ancient texts such as the Nāṭya Śāstra and Sangita Ratnakara.

Major Works

• Hindustani Sangeet Kramik Pustak Malika

• Swar Malika (1909) – Description of prevalent ragas

• Shri Mallakshaya Sangeetam – Written in Sanskrit under the pseudonym Chaturpandit

• Also wrote under the name Vishnu Sharma

Disciples and Scholars

Some of his notable followers include:

• S. N. Ratanjankar

• Dilip Kumar Roy

• K. G. Ginde

• S. C. R. Bhatt

• Ram Ashrey Jha (Ramrang)

• Sumati Mutatkar

• Krishna Kumar Kapoor

Institutional Contributions

• Reorganized Baroda State Music School (1916)

• Established Madhav Music College, Gwalior

• Prepared syllabus for Marris College of Music, Lucknow (1926)
  (Later renamed Bhatkhande College of Hindustani Music, now Bhatkhande Music Institute – Deemed University)

This transition from oral tradition to institutional education made Hindustani classical music accessible to a wider audience.

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The Ten Thaat System (Corrected & Standard)

1. Bilawal Thaat

Notes: Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa (All shuddha)
Ragas: Bilawal, Deshkar, Alhaiya Bilawal, Shankara

2. Kalyan Thaat

Notes: Sa Re Ga Ma♯ Pa Dha Ni Sa
Ragas: Yaman, Shuddha Kalyan, Bhupali, Hindol, Kedar

3. Khamaj Thaat

Notes: Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni♭ Sa
Ragas: Khamaj, Desh, Tilak Kamod, Jaijaivanti, Jhijhoti

4. Kafi Thaat

Notes: Sa Re Ga♭ Ma Pa Dha Ni♭ Sa
Ragas: Bhimpalasi, Bageshri, Pilu, Dhani, Megh Malhar

5. Asavari Thaat

Notes: Sa Re Ga♭ Ma Pa Dha♭ Ni♭ Sa
Ragas: Asavari, Jaunpuri, Darbari Kanada, Desi

6. Bhairavi Thaat

Notes: Sa Re♭ Ga♭ Ma Pa Dha♭ Ni♭ Sa
Ragas: Bhairavi, Malkauns, Todi, Ahir Bhairavi

7. Bhairav Thaat

Notes: Sa Re♭ Ga Ma Pa Dha♭ Ni Sa
Ragas: Bhairav, Ahir Bhairav, Gauri, Jogiya

8. Marwa Thaat

Notes: Sa Re♭ Ga Ma♯ Pa Dha Ni Sa
Ragas: Marwa, Puriya, Sohini, Bhatiyar

9. Poorvi Thaat

Notes: Sa Re♭ Ga Ma♯ Pa Dha♭ Ni Sa
Ragas: Poorvi, Puriya Dhanashree, Shri, Basant

10. Todi Thaat

Notes: Sa Re♭ Ga♭ Ma♯ Pa Dha♭ Ni Sa
Ragas: Miyan ki Todi, Gujari Todi, Multani, Madhuwanti

More details : https://raag-hindustani.com/Scales3.html

Study from Internet - Jacintha-