The Ten Thaats and Their Impact on Modern Indian Classical Training

One of Bhatkhande’s most enduring contributions is the ten‑thaat scheme, a classificatory system that groups ragas into ten parent scales. Before his work, ragas were organised by lineage or vague descriptors, making systematic study difficult. By arranging melodic frameworks according to their constituent notes, the thaat model gave educators a clear curriculum and helped students grasp relationships between ragas. Today, the ten thaats are taught in every Hindustani music institution and continue to shape examinations, concerts and scholarly research.