1. Introduction Tamil film music (Kollywood) and classical Carnatic songs have a unique melodic structure. While Western piano uses 12 equal semitones , Tamil songs are typically based on 7 relative notes (Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Da, Ni). This paper provides a systematic method to convert any Tamil song into piano notes. 2. The Foundation: Sargam to Western Notes In Carnatic music, the scale is movable (relative pitch). For a piano, we fix a Sruti (tonic). Choose your Sa (Shadjamam) as any white or black key. Common choices for beginners:
| Carnatic | Western Interval | Piano key (if Sa = C) | |----------|------------------|------------------------| | Sa | 1st (Perfect unison) | C | | Ri (R1) | Minor 2nd | C# / Db | | Ri (R2) | Major 2nd | D | | Ga (G1) | Minor 3rd | D# / Eb | | Ga (G2) | Major 3rd | E | | Ma (M1) | Perfect 4th | F | | Ma (M2) | Aug. 4th / Tritone | F# / Gb | | Pa | Perfect 5th | G | | Da (D1) | Minor 6th | G# / Ab | | Da (D2) | Major 6th | A | | Ni (N1) | Minor 7th | A# / Bb | | Ni (N2) | Major 7th | B | | Sa’ | Octave | C (higher) | Most Tamil film songs use a 7-note scale without too many accidentals — e.g., Mayamalavagowla or Mohanam . 3. Converting a Tamil Song to Piano Notes (Step-by-Step) Let’s take a simple line from a popular Tamil song. Assume Sa = C .
C – G – Am – F (I – V – vi – IV) e.g., "Ava Enna Enna" (Vaaranam Aayiram) uses this. 6. Example Full Transcription (Short Sample) Song: "Ennavale" (from Kadhalan ) – first two lines. Scale: Sa = C (Mohanam: C D E G A) tamil piano notes
Once Sa is chosen, the other notes are:
Tamil lyrics: "Vaseegaraa… nee enakku oru vaseegaraa" Common transcription: Sa Ga Ma Pa Ma Ga Ri Sa (C – E – F – G – F – E – D – C) Step 2 — Map to piano keys (Sa = C) Sa = C Ga = E (major 3rd) Ma = F Pa = G Ri = D This paper provides a systematic method to convert
| Carnatic note | Western chord (in C) | Keys | |---------------|----------------------|-------| | Sa (C) | C major | C – E – G | | Ri (D) | D minor | D – F – A | | Ga (E) | E minor | E – G – B | | Ma (F) | F major | F – A – C | | Pa (G) | G major | G – B – D | | Da (A) | A minor | A – C – E | | Ni (B) | B diminished | B – D – F |
Lyrics: "Ennavale… adi ennavale…"
"Vaseegara" (from Minnale ) – opening line: