22-Shruti System — Ancient Indian Microtones
The 22-shruti system divides the octave into 22 unequal microtonal intervals, as documented in the Natya Shastra (~200 BCE - 200 CE). It is the theoretical foundation of all Indian classical music.
Scale Structure
Highlighted intervals are microtones — impossible to play on a standard 12-TET piano.
History
Documented by Bharata Muni in the ancient Sanskrit text Natya Shastra. The 22 shrutis are the building blocks from which all Indian ragas are derived.
Cultural Usage
Primarily theoretical today — modern performers select 7-12 shrutis per raga rather than using all 22 simultaneously.
How MaqAmir Plays It
Each shruti is approximately 1/8 of a tone (~22 cents). Our implementation approximates the historical Just Intonation ratios using 12-tone interpolation.
More from Indian Classical (Theoretical)
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