Gamaka-s
Adapted from Chapter 8 of 'Kṛtimaṇimālai, English Adaptation, Part III' by Padma Varadan
A note or svara acquires colour and capacity for appeal when it is stretched to another (anusvara) compatible note on its either side. The notes are dovetailed into one another through a variety of delicate links forged by uncanny musical ingenuity. These links are called Gamaka-s - in effect, a clever combination of auxiliary notes. While over 60 Gamaka-s have been identified, 10 are more commonly used. There is no consensus on their nomenclature or method of execution as the technical and stylistic specialities too differ between vocalists and instrumentalists. Gamaka-s or embellishments may be broadly understood to involve one note or two or more adjacent ones or a glide from one note to another anywhere along the scale.