Swara

   SWARA(स्वर)

Swara is a Sanskrit word that means a note in the octave (अष्टक). Swar is also called "sur". There is twenty two Shruti 's out of which twelve are called swara.

Types of swara-

There are two types of swara –

1). Shudhha (शुद्ध) swara-   Out of twelve swara, 7 are called shuddha swara
       SA RE GA MA PA DHA NI (सा रे ग म प ध नि)

      

2). Vikrut (विकृत) swara-Those swar who is upper or lower from its place.

        It has two types-

     a).Flat Or Soft(कोमल) swara-These are-  
                                                              RE GA DHA  NI (रे ग ध नि)

     b).Sharp( तीव्रा) swara-In 12 swara only one swara is tivra and it is M’A (म').  

There is one more aspect of division of Swara. By which swara are divided into two parts. 

       (1)  Movable (चल) Swara-Those swara whose shuddha swara as well as 
               vikrut(Soft & Sharp),called Movable (चल) Swara

       (2)Immovable(अचल)Swara- Those who are not soft or sharp,Always                             shuddh & they are-SA & PA (सा & प)

S.NO.	SWARA	SANSKRIT EXPANSHION
1).	SA	Shadja (षड्ज)
2).	RE	Rishabha (ऋषभ)
3).	GA	Gandhara (गान्धार)
4).	MA	Madhyama (मध्यम)
5).	PA	Panchama (पञ्चम)
6).	DHA	Dhaivata (धैवत)
7).	NI	Nishadam (निषाद)

Or you can understand swara more easily by this image-