In order to understand any of this, you will need to know your intervals.

Other than that, you need no prior knowledge of ragas or Indian music to
play these scales.

To briefly explain, South Indian/Carnatic music has what are called

Melakarta Ragas, or parent ragas, which their nearly infinite number of
child ragas are born from. These are 72 scales grouped conveniently into
12 groups of 6 called Chakras (and you'll understand why shortly). This
evening, I took the time to write down the intervals to each scale. All the
sources I could find on the subject only had these scales in a sort of Indian
syllable-based tab system, so this will be easier on us Western folk.

Before I list the scales, I will make the process of learning these ragas as
simple as possible for you.

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I've provided a picture to help the learning experience. The Un-highlighted
intervals, 1st and 5th, are unchanging, so expect them to always be the
same. The interval in green, the 4th, is perfect half of the time, then
augmented half of the time. For the first six chakras (or groups of
scales/ragas), the 4th is perfect, and for the remaining six, it's augmented.
The intervals in red can be minor, major, or augmented, and the intervals in
blue can be diminished, minor, or major. However, there is a rule that if a
red interval is augmented, the blue next to it must be major. Otherwise,
they may be of any unique combination.

Using this graphic, you can take the one scale provided and turn it into 72
unique scales. You don't even have to know what they are. Take the initial
scale listed and make those changes to the scale however you wish, and
you will always be playing a raga. This is all you need to know to play any
raga/create any scale on the fly. However, I will be going over the
relationships of the chakras and ragas below, for those more interested
about it. There will also be a bit more info on the usage of all this, so read it
anyway.

2
Something to know is that there are 12 different chakras (or groups of
ragas/scales) and 6 ragas/scales in a chakra. If you observe the Melakartas
listed below, you will see that there is a constant pattern/formula. The
pattern is in the second picture above. When you use this sequence on the
6th and 7th intervals, you are changing ragas/scales in a chakra. When you
use this sequence on the 2nd or 3rd intervals, you are changing chakras. If
you do the sequence in order, first on the 6th and 7th, then on the 2nd and
3rd, you will be going through each raga, then chakra, in order. However,
after doing this six times, you will start again. To keep going, you must
augment the 4th, or else you're just starting over.

In fact, you don't even need to know there are 12 different chakras or 6
ragas in a chakra. All you need to know is the first picture. As long as you
follow it, you are playing a raga.

In the first picture, there is section called "Raga Mixture". This is a lot like
modal mixture. As long as you play a power chord, or a chord with the
notes of the scale/raga you're exiting that are also into the one you are
going into, you can play all 72 ragas even in one single solo. The only
trick about doing this is not exiting on a note that conflicts with the scale
you're going into. Therefore, it is easiest to exit on a 1st/8th or a 5th. Since
the 4th only changes half of the time, it can also be relied on to make the
jump from scale to scale. However, know the 4th is augmented half of the
time, if you ever choose to play those ragas. Another trick is that, if you are
only to change the 6th/7th, then play down at the 2nd/3rd that you aren't
changing, and go back up to reveal the change of scale, and vice versa.
This technique should unlock nearly every note on your fretboard for you
to play in a song/solo/lick or whatever you want.

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 Melakarta ragams (svg)

Indu Chakra --

1. Kanakangi:
1, b2, bb3, 4, 5, b6, bb7
C, Db, D, F, G, Ab, A,

2. Ratnangi:
1, b2, bb3, 4, 5, b6, b7
C, Db, D, F, G, Ab, Bb

3. Ganamoorti:
1, b2, bb3, 4, 5, b6, 7
C, Db, D, F, G, Ab, B

4. Vanaspati:
1, b2, bb3, 4, 5, 6, b7
C, Db, D, F, G, A, Bb

5. Manavati:
1, b2, bb3, 4, 5, 6, 7
C, Db, D, F, G, A, B

6. Tanaroopi:
1, b2, bb3, 4, 5, #6, 7
C, Db, D, F, G, A#, B

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Netra Chakra --

7. Senavati:
1, b2, b3, 4, 5, b6, bb7
C, Db, Eb, F, G, Ab, A

8. Hanumatodi/Todi: (Phrygian).
1, b2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7
C, Db, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb

9. Dhenuka:
1, b2, b3, 4, 5, b6, 7
C, Db, Eb, F, G, Ab, B

10. Natakapriya:
1, b2, b3, 4, 5, 6, b7
C, Db, Eb, F, G, A, Bb

11. Kokilapriya:
1, b2, b3, 4, 5, 6, 7
C, Db, Eb, F, G, A, B

12. Roopavati:
1, b2, b3, 4, 5, #6, 7
C, Db, Eb, F, G, A#, B

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Agni Chakra --

13. Gayakapriya:
1, b2, 3, 4, 5, b6, bb7
C, Db, E, F, G, Ab, A

14. Vakulabharanam:
1. b2. 3. 4. 5. b6, b7
C, Db, E, F, G, Ab, Bb

15. Mayamalavagowla:
1, b2, 3, 4, 5, b6, 7
C, Db, E, F, G, Ab, B

16. Chakravakam:
1, b2, 3, 4, 5, 6, b7
C, Db, E, F, G, A, Bb

17. Sooryakantam:
1, b2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
C, Db, E, F, G, A, B

18. Hatakambari:
1, b2, 3, 4, 5, #6, 7
C, Db, E, F, G, A#, B

6
Veda Chakra --

19. Jhankaradhwani:
1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, bb7
C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, A

20. Natabhairavi: (Aeolian)

1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7
C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb

21. Keeravani:
1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, 7
C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, B

22. Kharaharapriya: (Dorian)

1, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, b7
C, D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb

23. Gourimanohari: (Melodic Minor)

1, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, 7
C, D, Eb, F, G, A, B

24. Varunapriya:
1, 2, b3, 4, 5, #6, 7
C, D, Eb, F, G, A#, B

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Bana Chakra --

25. Mararanjani:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, b6, bb7
C, D, E, F, G, Ab, A

26. Charukeshi: ("Hindu scale")

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, b6, b7
C, D, E, F, G, Ab, Bb

27. Sarasangi:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, b6, 7
C, D, E, F, G, Ab, B

28. Harikambhoji: (Mixolydian)

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, b7
C, D, E, F, G, A, Bb

29. Shankarabharanam/Dheerashankarabharanam (Major/Ionian)

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
C, D, E, F, G, A, B

30. Naganandini:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, #6, 7
C, D, E, F, G, A#, B

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Ritu Chakra --

31. Yagapriya:
1, #2, 3, 4, 5, b6, bb7
C, D#, E, F, G, Ab, A

32. Ragavardini:
1, #2, 3, 4, 5, b6, b7
C, D#, E, F, G, Ab, Bb

33. Gangeyabhooshani:
1, #2, 3, 4, 5, b6, 7
C, D#, E, F, G, Ab, B

34. Vagadheeshwari:
1, #2, 3, 4, 5, 6, b7
C, D#, E, F, G, A, Bb

35. Shoolini:
1, #2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
C, D#, E, F, G, A, B

36. Chalanata:
1, #2, 3, 4, 5, #6, 7
C, D#, E, F, G, A#, B

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Rishi Chakra --

37. Salagam:
1, b2, bb3, #4, 5, b6, bb7
C, Db, D, F#, G, Ab, A

38. Jalamavam:
1, b2, bb3, #4, 5, b6, b7
C, Db, D, F#, G, Ab, Bb

39. Jhalavarali:
1, b2, bb3, #4, 5, b6, 7
C, Db, D, F#, G, Ab, B

40. Navaneetam:
1, b2, bb3, #4, 5, 6, b7
C, Db, D, F#, G, A, Bb

41. Pavani:
1, b2, bb3, #4, 5, 6, 7
C, Db, D, F#, G, A, B

42. Raghupriya:
1, b2, bb3, #4, 5, #6, 7
C, Db, D, F#, G, A#, B

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Vasu Chakra --

43. Gavambhodi:
1, b2, b3, #4, 5, b6, bb7
C, Db, Eb, F#, G, Ab, A

44. Bhavapriya:
1, b2, b3, #4, 5, b6, b7
C, Db, Eb, F#, G, Ab, Bb

45. Shubhapantuvarali:
1, b2, b3, #4, 5, b6, 7
C, Db, Eb, F#, G, Ab, B

46. Shadvidamargini:
1, b2, b3, #4, 5, 6, b7
C, Db, Eb, F#, G, A, Bb

47. Suvamangi:
1, b2, b3, #4, 5, 6, 7
C, Db, Eb, F#, G, A, B

48. Divyamani:
1, b2, b3, #4, 5, #6, 7
C, Db, Eb, F#, G, A#, B

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Brahma Chakra --

49. Dhavalambari:
1, b2, 3, #4, 5, b6, bb7
C, Db, E, F#, G, Ab, A

50. Namanarayani:
1, b2, 3, #4, 5, b6, b7
C, Db, E, F#, G, Ab, Bb

51. Kamavardini:
1, b2, 3, #4, 5, b6, 7
C, Db, E, F#, G, Ab, B

52. Ramapriya:
1, b2, 3, #4, 5, 6, b7
C, Db, E, F#, G, A, Bb

53. Gamanashrama:
1, b2, 3, #4, 5, 6, 7
C, Db, E, F#, G, A, B

54. Vishwambari:
1, b2, 3, #4, 5, #6, 7
C, Db, E, F#, G, A#, B

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Disi Chakra --

55. Shamalangi:
1, 2, b3, #4, 5, b6, bb7
C, D, Eb, F#, G, Ab, A

56. Shanmukhapriya:
1, 2, b3, #4, 5, b6, b7
C, D, Eb, F#, G, Ab, Bb

57. Simhendramadhyamam:
1, 2, b3, #4, 5, b6, 7
C, D, Eb, F#, G, Ab, B

58. Hemavati:
1, 2, b3, #4, 5, 6, b7
C, D, Eb, F#, G, A, Bb

59. Dharmavati:
1, 2, b3, #4, 5, 6, 7
C, D, Eb, F#, G, A, B

60: Neetimati:
1, 2, b3, #4, 5, #6, 7
C, D, Eb, F#, G, A#, B

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Rudra Chakra --

61. Kantamani:
1, 2, 3, #4, 5, b6, bb7
C, D, E, F#, G, Ab, A

62. Rishabhapriya:
1, 2, 3, #4, 5, b6, b7
C, D, E, F#, G, Ab, Bb

63. Latangi:
1, 2, 3, #4, 5, b6, 7
C, D, E, F#, G, Ab, B

64. Vachaspati:
1, 2, 3, #4, 5, 6, b7
C, D, E, F#, G, A, Bb

65. Mechakalyani/Kalyani: (Lydian)

1, 2, 3, #4, 5, 6, 7
C, D, E, F#, G, A, B

66. Chitrambari:
1, 2, 3, #4, 5, #6, 7
C, D, E, F#, G, A#, B

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Aditya Chakra --

67. Sucharita:
1, #2, 3, #4, 5, b6, bb7
C, D#, E, F#, G, Ab, A

68. Jyotiswaroopini:
1, #2, 3, #4, 5, b6, b7
C, D#, E, F#, G, Ab, Bb

69. Dhatuvardani:
1, #2, 3, #4, 5, b6, 7
C, D#, E, F#, G, Ab, B

70. Nasikabhooshani:
1, #2, 3, #4, 5, 6, b7
C, D#, E, F#, G, A, Bb

71. Kosalam:
1, #2, 3, #4, 5, 6, 7
C, D#, E, F#, G, A, B

72. Rasikapriya:
1, #2, 3, #4, 5, #6, 7
C, D#, E, F#, G, A#, B

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 Chakras

The 72 Melakarta ragas are split into 12 groups called chakras, each
containing 6 ragas. The ragas within the chakra differ only in the dhaivatam
and nishadam notes (D and N), as illustrated below. The name of each of
the 12 chakras suggest their ordinal number as well.[1][4]

Indu stands for the moon, of which we have only one hence it is the
first chakra.

Netra means eyes, of which we have two hence it is the second.

Agni is the third chakra it indicates three kinds of Agni. (Dakshina,

Ahavaniyam and Karshi Patyam)So agni indicates 3rd Chakra.

Veda denoting four Vedas is the name of the fourth chakra.

Bana comes fifth as it stands for the five Arrows of Manmatha.

Rutu is the sixth chakra standing for the 6 seasons of Hindu calendar,
which are Vasanta, Greeshma, Varsha. Sharat, Hemanta and Shishira.

Rishi, meaning sage, is the seventh chakra representing the seven

sages.

Vasu stands for the eight vasus of Hinduism.

Brahma comes next of which there are 9.

Disi Chakra indicates Ten directions (East, West, North, South, North
East, North West, South East, South West, Sky and Earth). Hence it is 10th
Chakra.

Eleventh chakra is Rudra of which there are eleven.

Twelfth comes Aditya of which there are twelve.

These 12 chakras were also established by Venkatamakhi.

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29. Shankarabharanam/Dheerashankarabharanam (Major/Ionian)
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
C, D, E, F, G, A, B

22. Kharaharapriya: (Dorian)

1, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, b7
C, D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb

8. Hanumatodi/Todi: (Phrygian).
1, b2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7
C, Db, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb

65. Mechakalyani/Kalyani: (Lydian)

1, 2, 3, #4, 5, 6, 7
C, D, E, F#, G, A, B

28. Harikambhoji: (Mixolydian)

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, b7
C, D, E, F, G, A, Bb

20. Natabhairavi: (Aeolian)

1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7
C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb

17
23. Gourimanohari: (Melodic Minor)
1, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, 7
C, D, Eb, F, G, A, B

18