In Carnatic music, Sthai or Staayi refers to the octave.[1] Madhyama sthai refers to the middle octave, Tara sthai refers to the upper octave and Mandhira sthai refers to the lower octave. Sthai can be defined as the interval or span made up of shadja to nishad in Indian Music .
The Five types of Sthai are:
| Name of Sthayi | Octave | Method of Denoting | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anumandra Sthayi | 2 octaves below | Two dots below the Swara | |
| Mandara Sthayi | Lower octave | One dot below the Swara | |
| Madhya Sthayi | Middle octave | Swara without dots | |
| Thara Sthayi | Higher octave | One dot above the Swara | |
| Ati Thara Sthayi | 2 Octaves above | Two dots above the Swara |