Khamaj

Khamaj (Urdu: کھماج) is one of the ten Thaats (parent scales) of Hindustani music. It is also a specific raga in Khamaj thaat.

Khamaj Thaat

The parent-scale Khamaj Thaat, notated in sargam notation, has the following structure: S R G m P D n S'.n is komal here. In Western terms, assuming the tonic (Sa) to be at C, the scale would be: C D E F G A B-flat C. Khamaj thaat is thus equivalent to the mixolydian mode in Western classical music.

The Carnatic music equivalent of the Khamaj Thaat is Harikambhoji, the 28th Melakarta raga.

Raga Khamaj

Raga Khamaj, the specific improvisational scale based on this mode, has the following structure:

Aroha (ascending structure)-S G M P D N S' Avroha-S'n D P M G R S

    If Sa=C, then this would translate to B C E F G A B C

    If Sa=C, then this would translate as C B-flat A G F G A E F D C.

The Jaati: Shadav-Sampoorn The vadi or sonant note is Ga, the dominant. The samavadi or con-sonant note is Ni, the mediant. There is no universally-accepted pakad for Raga Khamaj, although the phrase m-P-D-G-m-R-S is considered important. ND MPD MG too is quite predominant pakad. The prahar (prescribed performance time) of Raga Khamaj is 9 pm to midnight.

This raga has been explored more in the lighter forms of Hindustani Classical Music such as Thumri, Tappa etc. Yet a few compositions in Dhrupad and Khayal are found as well.

Compositions in Raga Khamaj – In Dhrupad, Sadra, Khayal, Thumri & Tappa styles :

• Sudhi Bisara Gayi...(Sadra form – in 10 beat cycle of Jhaptala.Sung by Abdul Karim Khan of Kirana Gharana)
• Piya Tori Tirchhi Najar Laage Pyaari Re... (Bol Banav Ki Thumri form. Sung by Faiyaz Khan of Agra *Gharana)
• Koyaliyan Kuhuk/Kook Sunaave... (Khayal/Bandishi Thumri form – in 16 beat cycle of Teentala. Sung by Nisar Hussain Khan of Rampur Gharana, Ajay Chakravarti of Patiyala Gharana
• Shyaam Rang Daari... (Dhrupad form – in 14 beat cycle of Dhamar Tala. Sung by N. Zahiruddin Dagar & F. Wasfuddin Dagar)
• Sudh Naa Lini Jabse Gaye... (Dadra form – Sung by Faiyaz Khan of Agra Gharana and also Mentioned in Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande's Kramik Pustak Malika Vol. 2)

Hindi Film Songs based on Raga Khamaj :

• Bada natkhat hai...ka kare yashoda maiya – Amar Prem
• Ayo kahanse ghanashyam – Buddha Mil Gaya
• Vo na aenge palatkar – Devdaas
• A dilse dil mila le – Navrang
• Dhal chuki shame Gam – Kohinoor
• Khat likha de savariyake nam babu
• Mere to giridharagopala – Meera
• Tere bina sajna lage na jiya hamar – Aarti
• Tere mere milan ki raina - Abhimaan

The Narsinh Bhajan "Vaishnav jan to" is also based on Khamaj.
The Sargam Geet is as follows: set to teentaal, that is sixteen beats:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

G

G

S

G

M

P

G

M

N

D

_

M

P

D

_

M

G

_

_

_

D

N

S

_

S

N

D

P

M

G

R

S

This is the Prelude to the Sargam Geet, the underscore signifies the avagraha i.e. prolongation of the previous note by one beat for one _ and
three beats in case of _ _ _

rag khamaj aro-S G M P D N S

avaro-S N D p M G R S Thata-Khamaj Jathie-shadava,Sampurna (because 6 Notes at the arohana and 7 notes at the avarohana) Vadi-G Sanvadi-N Pakad-n(komala N)D MPD MG Time of singing- secound quator of night brief explanation - It is a very old rag very sweet and popular many gazals and thumris based on

                   this rag .it has both komala and shudha N and athoer notes shudha notes.

Important recordings

Most probably the oldest recording is of Abdul Karim Khan from 1906

Source

• http://www.adwaitjoshi.com/icm/raagabase.php

External links

• Film Songs in Rag Khammaj