Pronunciation: [svˈɑːɹə] (IPA) 
The word "svara" is a Swedish term that means "to answer". Its spelling is reflected in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as the phonetic transcription /svaːra/. This involves a long vowel sound for both "a"s, represented by the colon symbol, as well as a voiced "s" at the beginning of the word, represented by the "v" sound. Accurate use of IPA can be useful in understanding the correct pronunciation of words in foreign languages.
Svara is a term originating from the Indian classical music tradition and is primarily used in the context of Hindustani and Carnatic music. It refers to the concept of musical notes or pitches that form the basis of a musical composition or performance.
In Hindustani music, svara represents the seven basic notes or swaras, namely Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, and Ni, which correspond to the western equivalents of Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La, and Ti. These svaras are further divided into Komal (flat) and Teevra (sharp) forms, which add depth and complexity to the melodic structure.
Similarly, in Carnatic music, svara refers to the same seven basic notes or swaras, although a slightly different system of notation is used. The svaras, in this case, are Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Da, and Ni. Carnatic music also employs microtonal intervals known as shrutis, which enhance the raga (melodic framework) and bring subtle nuances to the music.
Svara is a fundamental aspect of Indian classical music and holds immense significance in creating melodic compositions, improvisations, and ornamentations known as gamakas and meend. Understanding the various svaras and their relationship with one another is vital for musicians to master the intricacies of the raga system and create beautiful melodies.
Additionally, svara can also represent the vocal quality or tone of a singer. A musician's svara aims to achieve clarity, precision, and purity of sound, allowing for emotional communication and aesthetic pleasure for both the performer and the audience.
The word "svara" has its etymology in Sanskrit, an ancient language of India. In Sanskrit, "svara" means "musical note" or "tone". It is derived from the verb "svar", which means "to sound" or "to make a musical note". The term "svara" is widely used in Indian classical music, referring to the seven basic notes of the octatonic scale (sa, re, ga, ma, pa, dha, ni) and their variants. Over time, the word "svara" has also been adopted in various languages influenced by Sanskrit, such as Hindi, Bengali, and Telugu, with similar meanings related to music and sound.
