madhyama

Madhyama, from Sanskrit madhya meaning middle, denotes the fourth pitch of the octave in Indian classical music. It is represented as Ma in the traditional syllables Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni and sits between Re (Ri) and Pa. The concept is used in both major traditions of Indian music, Hindustani (North Indian) and Carnatic (South Indian), and is central to melody and ragas.

In Hindustani music, Ma has two forms: Shuddha Madhyam (natural Ma) and Tivra Madhyam (raised Ma). The Tivra form raises Ma by a semitone and is characteristic of several ragas, such as Yaman, contributing a distinct brightness to the melody.

In Carnatic music, Madhyamam is likewise the fourth swara, but the theory distinguishes two variants: Shuddha Madhyamam (M1) and Prati Madhyamam (M2). The two forms define different scale structures, and ragas are organized into families according to whether they use M1 or M2. Ragams that employ Prati Madhyamam form a separate subset within the Carnatic system.

Etymologically, madhyama reflects its function as the “middle” note within the octave and, as such, provides a pivotal pivot point in melodic movement. The precise pitch of Ma varies with tuning and system (Hindustani vs. Carnatic) but always occupies the same general harmonic position as the fourth degree above Sa.