What is Nada ?

Ahata Nada & Anhath Nada meaning in Indian Classical Music.

Ahata Nada. Sounds that are generated by a conscious effort are known as Ahata Nada. Singing, vocal notes, or animal sounds fall under this category

Anahata Nada. Sounds that occur naturally, without any definitive pattern or rhythm are called Anahata Nada. Nature sounds, ambient noises fall under this category. 

There are three main characteristics of this Nada: 

1.Pitch or Frequency

2.Intensity and loudness

3.Quality or Timber.

Pitch / Frequency

– Signifies whether Nada is high or low

The pitch of the sound-producing object depends upon the frequency (number of vibrations). The higher the frequency, the higher the pitch of the Nada, and the lower the frequency, the lower the pitch of the Nada. 

For example, the frequency of ‘Sa’ is 240, ‘Re’ is 270. therefore the frequency of ‘Re’ being higher than that of ‘Sa’ and the frequency of ‘Sa’ being lower than that of ‘Re’, the pitch of ‘Sa’ is lower than that of ‘Re.’ A Nada with a frequency of 60 to 4000 is possible for use in music.  

Intensity  signifies whether Nada is loud or weak

Intensity or Magnitude signifies whether a Nada is louder or weak and of greater or smaller amplitude. This characteristic is determined by the force used to obtain the Nada. 

When a string or surface of the Tabla is struck softly, the Nada would be heard over a smaller distance. However, if these are struck with greater force or a louder sound is produced from the throat, then the Nada would be heard over a greater distance. 

This is the intensity of Nada. Timbre – There are different mediums to produce Nada.

Timbre or Quality of Nada.

 

The different tonal quality produced through different mediums is called the timbre of a Nada. 

Through the timbre of Nada, it can be certain that a given Nada is obtained from a particular instrument of an individual. It is this difference of medium that gives the quality or timbre of Nada.