A Raag is nothing but a selection or a combination of specific Swaras from the Saptak.

Later the musicologist Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande classified Ragas in 10 specific Thaats (For more information see: Thaats)

There are certain Ragas in which all the Seven Sounds (Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni) are used and such Ragas are called “Complete Ragas”.

There are certain other Ragas in which only Six or Five swaras are used.

The sounds (Swaras) which are not used are called Varjit Swara or Prohibited Sound.

Such Ragas with Six Sounds are called Sharav Raag.

There are certain Ragas in which only five Sounds are used. Such a Raag is called Auruv Raag.

All in all, the Ragas can be classified in Jaatis (Castes) based on the Number of Swaras whereas Thaats are a classification technique based on the Type of the Swaras.

There are mainly Nine castes (Jaati) of Ragas as explained below:

Complete Raag

The Ragas where all the seven Swaras are used in Aroh and Avaroh is “Complete Raga”.

Example:
Aroh
Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa

Avaroh
Sa Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Re Sa.

Complete Sharav Raag

The Raag in which Seven Sounds are used in Aroh and Six Sounds are used in Avaroh, is called “Complete Sharav Raga”.

Example:
Aroh
Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni SA

Avaroh
SA Ni Dha Pa Ma. Ga Sa

Complete Aurava Raag

The Raag in which there are Seven Sounds in Aroh and five Sounds in Avaroh is called a “Complete Aurava Raga”

Example:
Aroh
Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni SA

Avaroh
SA Ni Pa Ma Re Sa

Sharava Complete Raag

The Raag in which there are Six sounds in Aroh and Seven Sounds in Avaroh is called “Sharava Complete Raga” e.g.

Aroh
Sa Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni SA

Avaroh
SA Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Re. Sa

Sharava-Shrava Raag

The Raag in which there are Six sounds in Aroh and Six sounds in Avaroh is called “Sharava-Shrava Raga”

Aroh
Sa Re Ga Ma Dha Ni SA

Avaroh
SA Ni Dha Ma Ga Sa

Sharava Aurava Raag

The Raag in which there are Six Sounds in Aroh and Five Sounds in Avaroh is called “Sharava Aurava Raga”

Aroh
Sa Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni SA

Avaroh
SA Dha Pa Ma Re Sa.

Aruva-Complete Raag

The Raag in which there are five sounds in Aroh and seven sounds in Avaroh is called “Aruva-Complete Raga”

Aroh
Sa Re Ma Pa Dha SA

Avaroh
SA Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Re Sa

Aruva - Sharav Raag

The Raag in which five sounds are used in Aroh and Six sounds are used in Avaroh is called “Aruva- Sharav Raga”

Aroh
Sa Re Ma Pa Dha SA

Avaroh
SA Ni Dha Pa Ma Re Sa

Aruva-Auruva Raag

The Raag in which five sounds are used in Aroh and Five sounds are used in Avaroh too is called “Aruva-Auruva Raga” e.g.

Aroh
Sa Re Ga Pa Dha SA

Avaroh
Sa Dha Pa Ga Re Sa