The word ‘alpa’ means less. The swars which are less in usage and importance or are omitted in a Jaati are known as Alpatva. There are of two types of Alpatva swars – Langhan Alpatva and Anabhyasa Alpatva.
Bahutva is when a swar is given a prime place or is often repeated (vadi swar) in a Jaati. There are two types of Bahutva - Alanghan Bahutva and Abhyaas Bahutva.