How to read notation or swaralipi

1. Scale: In the notation segment a special technique has been used known as 'Aakaarmatrik Swaralipi'. It has been widely used by Viswa Bharati University and other Bangla songs. This technique needs a little analysis.

1.1. স ঋ র জ্ঞ গ ম হ্ম প দ ধ ণ ন - Corresponds to C bD D bE E F #F G bA A bB B respectively in the C scale. For other scales the interpretations will change accordingly. র্স, স্‌ = The character is used to indicate higher octave and similarly is used to indicate lower octave. Example: র্গ, র্ম etc. and গ্‌, ম্‌‌ etc.

1.1.1. ঋ^১ = Atikomal Rishav. The position of this note is in between স and ঋ. It is not possible to represent these notes in staff notation. Atikomal Gandhar, Atikomal Dhaivat and Atikomal Nishad are repersented by জ্ঞ^১, দ^১ and ণ^১ respectively.

1.1.2. ঋ^২ = Anukomal Rishav. The position of this note is in between ঋ and র. It is not possible to represent these notes in staff notation. Anukomal Gandhar, Anukomal Dhaivat and Anukomal Nishad are repersented by জ্ঞ^২, দ^২ and ণ^২ respectively.

2. Time: The notation incorporates a typical style to represent different periods of time for notes and rests. The legends are described below.

2.1.

Sometimes combination of these notes is used, as in – 'রাঃ', this means a note length of 1½^th matra (3/8^th note in staff notation), or 'সঃ০', this means ¾^th matra (3/16^th note in staff notation), or a bit more complicatedly - 'মপাঃ ধঃ', this means 1½^th matra and ½^th matra making 2 matra altogether.

Signs for notes and rests are all alike.

2.2. '|' = Divisions of the rhythm is denoted by '|' sign.

2.3. 'I' = This sign is used to denote one complete rotation of the rhythm (or Taal).

2.4. 'II' = This sign is used to indicate divisions (or Tuk or Kali) of the song, such as Sthaayee, Antara, Sanchari, Abhog etc. If the end of a such division has 'II' sign, one has to return to the start of the Sthaayee. After completing the Sthaayee part onward movement to other parts is allowed.

2.5. 'II II' = This sign is used in the notation to mark its end. One has to return to the start of the Sthaayee after this sign.

2.6. 'll' = This sign is sometimes used at the top of a particular note in the Sthaayee part where the song is finally intended to end or movement to other parts (or kali) of the song is indicated.

2.7. '( )' = This bracket is used to indicate to exclude a portion while repetition.

2.8. '{ }' = This bracket is used to show the part that has to be repeated.

2.9. '[ ]' = This bracket is used to indicate alternate tune to be followed generally after returning to Sthaayee.

2.10. '-' = A small hyphen is positioned before a note to indicate legato.

3. Touch notes: ^মরা, রা^ম = Touch notes are indicated by prefixing or suffixing the main note with another note of smaller size. This measures quite like the Sliding Grace Note in Staff (although grace notes after the main note is not very common).