Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
mela
References
Images
Six possible tetrachord species. South Indian music. Twelve melas (scales) that desciribe South Indian music, such as ragas.
Britannica AI Icon

mela

Indian music
Written by
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of  Encyclopædia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them.
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last updated

Quick Summary

Six possible tetrachord species. South Indian music.

The term "mela" in Indian music refers to a theoretical system for classifying ragas (melodic frameworks) in South Indian classical music. This system, known as the 72-mela system, serves as the basis for organizing and composing new ragas. While mela is a theoretical device, ragas themselves have scalar elements, melodic fragments, and specific emphasis on certain notes that distinguish them.1

In contrast, "mela" can also refer to an Indian religious festival or fair. It is important to distinguish between these two meanings, as the musical term relates to a systematic classification within Indian classical music, while the other refers to a gathering of people.21

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
7 Britannica Sources
  1. South Asian arts - North India
  2. Hindustani classical music
  3. South Asian arts - North India
  4. mela
  5. Carnatic music
  6. South Asian arts - Further development of the grama-raga s
  7. South Asian arts - Classical music

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.