In Karnatak music, a great deal of emphasis is also placed on the Sampurna (heptatonic) scale types, Melas as a means of classifying ragas [musical scales]....the 17th century text Chaturdanda Prakasikha lists out all the possible melas which could fit into the Karnatak system of music. This 72 Melakarata system still provides the basis for classification in the Karnatak music.
Vijaya Moorthy