Initially basic exercises were taught in Karaharapriya raga. Then Purandara Dasa devised a system whereby the basics (Sarali varisai, Janta varisai, Melsthayi varisai, Dhatu Varisai, Alankaram) were learnt in Mayamalava Gaula raga. It is said that this raga is convenient for beginners to sing the notes and its sthaana (place) is next to each other and are distributed evenly i.e S R1, G2M1, PD1, N2S. In the Veena, the Harmonium and the Keyboard, you can see these intervals a