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 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 | tamil piano notes
So the piano notes become: Step 3 — Rhythm and timing Each dash represents a beat. Use eighth notes for faster syllables. Result: Play these eight keys sequentially with your right hand. Left hand can play C – G – C chords (C major) as backing. 4. Common Tamil Song Phrases (Piano Notes, Sa = C) | Song | Phrase (Sargam) | Piano Notes | |-------|----------------|--------------| | "Munbe Vaa" (Sillunu Oru Kaadhal) | Sa Ga Ma Pa Ma Ga Ri | C E F G F E D | | "Yaaro Yaaro" (Kaatru Veliyidai) | Pa Ma Ga Ri Sa | G F E D C | | "Nenjukkul Peidhidum" (Vaaranam Aayiram) | Sa Ri Ga Ma Pa Ma Ga Ri | C D E F G F E D | | "Why This Kolaveri" (3) | Sa Sa Ga Ga Ma Ma Pa | C C E E F F G | 5. Adding Chords (Left Hand Accompaniment) Simple chord mapping for Tamil film songs (most use 3–4 chords): This paper provides a systematic method to convert
Once Sa is chosen, the other notes are:
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) For a piano, we fix a Sruti (tonic)