SAPTAK  (सप्तक )

It’s a series of seven notes and they are “SA RE GA MA PA DHA NI” (सा रे ग म प ध नि).They are played in an order OR we can say it’s a series of seven notes which is played in order called SAPTAK.

In between these 7 swara, 5 vikrut swara are also included. From SA to NI there is one saptak, After Ni second sapatk starts.

Every saptak contains 12 swara ( 7 shuddha and 5 vikrut).There can be many type of saptak but practically in music maximum 3 saptak can be used. In vocal or instrument there is no need of more than 3 saptak to sing. Majority of singers are capable of singing in less  than 3 saptak. 

So there are 3 types of saptak and they are-

(1)Madhya(मध्य)saptak- 

In which normally we sing or play more,called Madhya saptak.These saptak is between the two saptak,That’s why it’s called Madhya saptak.

                (sa re ga ma pa dha ni)    (सा रे ग म प ध नि)

(2)Mandra(मन्द्र)saptak- 

Before Madhya saptak mandra saptak come.Its half of Madhya saptak.

                (‘sa ‘re ‘ga ‘ma ‘pa ‘dha ‘ni)    ( स़ा ऱे ग़ म़ प़ ध़ ऩि )

The dot at bottom of swara denotes that it’s a mandra saptak.

 (3)Taar(तार)saptak- 

After Madhya saptak taar saptak come. Taar saptak is double of Madhya saptak.

                    (sa’ re’ ga’ ma’ pa’ dha’ ni’)   ( सां रें गं मं पं धं निं)

The dot upper side of swara denotes that it’s a taar saptak.

Madhya Sa on first shruti and tar sa is after 22 or 23^rd shruti’s come. After these Ati Tar sapatak starts. It’s also from sa to ni.

Or you can understand saptak more easily by this image-