Melakarta
A seven-note parent scale in the 72-Melakarta system.
A Melakarta contains all seven svaras in order in both ascent and descent. Sa and Pa are fixed; one form of each of Ri, Ga, Ma, Dha and Ni completes the scale.
How the system fits together
There are 72 Melakartas, grouped in twelve chakras of six. Numbers 1–36 use M1; 37–72 use M2. A janya raga can be classified under a parent without following the parent's complete scale in performance.