Khamaj
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Khamaj is one of the ten Thaats (parent scales) of Hindustani music. It is also a specific raga in Khamaj thaat.
[edit] Khamaj Thaat
The parent-scale Khamaj Thaat, notated in sargam notation, has the following structure: S R G m P D n S'. 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 music.
[edit] Raga Khamaj
Raga Khamaj, the specific improvisational scale based on this mode, has the following structure:
Arohana (ascending structure)-'N S G m P D N S'. If Sa=C, then this would translate to B C E F G A B C
Avrohana-S' n D P m P D G m R S. If Sa=C, then this would translate as C B-flat A G F G A E F D C.
The vadi or sonant note is Pa, the dominant. The samavadi or con-sonant note is Ga, the mediant. There is no universally-accepted pakad for Raga Khamaj, although the phrase m-P-D-G-m-R-S is considered important. The prahar (prescribed performance time) of Raga Khamaj is 6 pm to 9 pm.
It is called HariKambhoji in Carnatic Music.
Hindi Film Songs based on Raga Khamaj :
O sajna, barkha bahara ayi - Parakh
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
Kuch to log kahenge - Amar Prem
Tere mere milan ki raina.
The Narsinh Bhajan "Vaishnav jan to" is also based on Khamaj.
