NCERT Class 7 Arts Kriti: Chapter 5 — Making Music
This chapter introduces fundamental musical terms essential for understanding Indian music. It begins with a Sanskrit verse from Sangita Ratnakara explaining the origin of Nada (musical sound) from the combination of life force (prana) and fire (agni). The chapter then defines key terms such as Aadhara Shruti (base note), Swara (musical note, including the seven notes Sa Ri Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni), Raga (a melodic framework), Tala (rhythm cycle), Laya (tempo/speed), Aroha (ascending scale), Avroha (descending scale), and Sargam (a pattern of notes). Understanding these terms is crucial for students learning to play or sing music, providing a foundation for further exploration in the field of music within the CBSE curriculum.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 7 |
| Subject | Arts |
| Book | Kriti |
| Chapter | Chapter 5 — Making Music |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 1 minute |
| Word count | 162 |
Learning outcomes
- Define and identify key musical terms like Swara, Raga, Tala, and Laya.
- Understand the concept of Aadhara Shruti as the base note.
- Differentiate between Aroha and Avroha in the context of a raga.
- Recognize the seven basic notes of Indian music (Saptaswara).
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Nada | Musical sound |
| Prana | Life force |
| Agni | Fire |
| Aadhara Shruti | Base note |
| Swar | A note in music |
| Raga | A group of notes creating a melody |
| Tala | A rhythm cycle |
| Laya | Tempo or speed |
| Aroha | Ascending scale of a raga |
| Avroh | Descending scale of a raga |
| Sargam | A pattern of notes |
The complete chapter text is read in the official NCERT PDF viewer below (streamed from ncert.nic.in). This page provides NCERT Help study material — summary, vocabulary, practice questions, and FAQs — not a full reproduction of the textbook.
Read chapter online
This PDF is loaded from the official NCERT website (ncert.nic.in). Use the page buttons below to read — download is disabled on NCERT Help.
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Practice questions
- What is the meaning of 'Nada' according to the chapter? Answer: Nada means musical sound.
- Name the seven notes in Indian music. Answer: The seven notes are Sa, Ri/Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni.
- What is a Raga? Answer: A Raga is a group of notes that come together as per certain rules to create a melody.
- Define Laya. Answer: Laya is the tempo or speed of music, which can vary from slow to fast.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of the Sanskrit verse provided?
The verse explains that musical sound (Nada) is created by combining prana (life force) and agni (fire).
What is Aadhara Shruti?
Aadhara Shruti is the base note according to which music is played or sung.
How many notes are there in Indian music?
There are seven main notes in Indian music: Sa, Ri/Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni.
What is the difference between Aroha and Avroha?
Aroha is the ascending scale of a raga, while Avroha is the descending scale of a raga.
What is Tala?
Tala is a rhythm cycle comprising a number of beats.
What does Laya refer to in music?
Laya refers to the tempo or speed of the music, which can be slow or fast.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 7 Arts — Kriti — Chapter 5 — Making Music. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.