Question

Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Under the Saptak, there are seven Shuddha and five Vikrut Swaras.
Reason (R): There are total twenty two Swaras in a Saptak.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

• A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
• B. Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
• C. (A) is correct but (R) is not correct
• D. (A) is not correct but (R) is correct

Hint:

Do not mix up notes and microtones: There are always 22 Shrutis and 12 Swaras total in a standard octave system.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: A standard musical octave layout (Saptak) divides pitch space into notes based on their tonal properties. Distinguishing between foundational micro-tones (Shrutis) and basic scale notes (Swaras) is crucial for analyzing these systems.

Step 1: Evaluate Assertion (A).
Assertion (A) states that a single octave (Saptak) is composed of 7 natural notes (Shuddha Swaras: Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni) and 5 altered notes (Vikrut Swaras: Komal Re, Komal Ga, Teevra Ma, Komal Dha, Komal Ni). Summing these components yields the 12-note chromatic pitch system used in Hindustani music: \[ \text{Total Notes} = 7 \ (\text{Shuddha}) + 5 \ (\text{Vikrut}) = 12 \text{ Swaras} \] This makes Assertion (A) correct.

Step 2: Evaluate Reason (R).
Reason (R) states that there are a total of twenty-two Swaras inside a Saptak. This statement contains a key terminology error. In classical music theory, there are exactly 22 Shrutis (micro-tonal intervals) within an octave, which are condensed into 12 Swaras (notes). Because the statement refers to twenty-two Swaras instead of twenty-two Shrutis, Reason (R) is factually incorrect.