S R G M P D N S is Arohanam and S N D P M G R S is Avarohanam.

"S" (In the Base) has no division

"R" has 3 divisions as "R1", "R2" and "R3"

"G" has 3 divisions as "G1", "G2" and "G3"

"M" has 2 divisions as "M1" and M2"

"P" has no division.

"D" has 3 divisions as "D1"," D2" and "D3"

"N" has 3 divisions as "N1", "N2" and "N3"

"S" (In the higher octave) has no division

The technical terms for the Swaras are :

S – Shadjam

R – Rishabam

G – Gandharam

M – Madhyamam

P - Panchamam

D – Dhaivatham

N – Nishatham

So now U have S R1 R2 R3 G1 G2 G3 M1 M2 P D1 D2 D3 N1 N2 N3 and S.

Here R2 equals G1 and R3 equals G2 in the pitch.

Also D2 equals N1 and D3 equals N2 in the pitch.

So we have a combination now as

R1

R2 G1

R3 G2

G3

Selecting 2 from 4 (One is R and another is G) we get 4C2 ways = 6

M1

M2

Selecting 1 from 2 we get 2C1 ways = 2

D1

D2 N1

D3 N2

N3

Selecting 2 from 4 (One is D and another is N) we get 4C2 ways = 6

So according to mathematical calculation the total combination of Ragams obtained are 6*6*2 = 72. These 72 Ragams have 7 swaras in both Arohanam and Avarohanam but with a slight difference with one another. Right?

If U take the combination like all the Swaras 7-7 (7 swaras in Arohana and 7 swaras in Avarohana which are same) should come, U get 72 ragams. This unique 72 Ragams one differing the other are called as Mother Ragams or Melakartha Ragams. This combination of 7-7 is called as "Sampurnam". Another Unique difference is M1 is followed by all the first 36 Ragams called as "Sudha Madhyama Ragams" and M2 is followed by the next 36 Ragams called as "Prathi Madhyama Ragams".

It is also possible with the Arohana having all the full 7 swarams or less than 7 (Like 6,5,4) and Avrohanam with all the full 7 swarams or less (Like 6,5,4). Condition is 7-7 don't come here. Allowed ones are 7-6, 6-7, 7-5, 5-7, 7-4, 4-7, 6-6, 6-5, 5-6, 6-4, 4-6, 5,5, 5-4, 4-5, and 4-4. The combination of 6-6 is called "Shadavam". For e.g. the Ragam Sriranjani is called Shadava Ragam with S R G M D N S and S N D M G R S. Also a combination of 5-5 is called "Ouvdavam" For e.g. the Ragam Mohanam is called Ouvda Ragam with S R G P D S and S D P G R S. The missed swaras are called as "Varjam". In Mohanam, M and N are Varjam, Right?

The swaras in the Arohana and Avarohana may or may not differ. Also they may come repeatedly. Like R or G or M or P or D or N coming twice or more times. For e.g. the Ragam AnandhaBhairavi has S G R G M P D P S and S N D P M G R S. Here G and P are coming twice in the Arohanam. If the swars come again like this repeatedly then it is called as "Vakram".

Important to note down is the Ragams that come under the second and third possibility (With the condition of there is no 7-7) are called as Child Ragams or Janya Ragams. They are considered to be given birth by the Mother Ragams.

In the second possibility of Ragams the Child ragams swaras will be coming only under the swaras of the corresponding Mother ragams. But in the third possibility the child ragam swaras can be inherited with swaras of not only by the respective mother but also from other Mother ragams.

Hence in this way U will get a lot number of Ragams. Really uncountable. But the Ragams that are being common and sung in the Carnatic world will be to a maximum of just 200 to 250. Is it surprising to read the count? But it is the fact.. OK, if U don't feel familiar with the terms, read once again this Swara portion and go to the next. All the best!!