Khamas
ArohanamS M₁ G₃ M₁ P D₂ N₂ Ṡ
AvarohanamṠ N₂ D₂ P M₁ G₃ R₂ S

Khamas[1][2] or Kamās/ Khamās /Khamāch/ Khamāj / Kamāchi (கமாச்) (ఖమాస్/కమాచి) is a rāgam in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is a janya rāgam (derived scale) from the 28th melakarta scale Harikambhoji. It is a janya scale, as it does not have all the seven swaras (musical notes) in the ascending scale.

It is a scale that evokes Shringara rasa.[1][2] It is suitable for javali type compositions.[2]

Structure and Lakshana

Parent scale Harikambhoji with shadjam at C

Khamas is an asymmetric rāgam that does not contain rishabham in the ascending scale. It is a vakra-shadava-sampurna rāgam (vakra-shadava, meaning 6 notes in ascending scale with zig-zag moves).[1][2] Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure (ascending and descending scale) is as follows:

The notes used in this scale are shadjam, antara gandharam, shuddha madhyamam, panchamam, chathusruthi dhaivatam and kaisiki nishadham in ascending scale, with chathusruthi rishabham included in descending scale. For the details of the notations and terms, see swaras in Carnatic music.

Alternate versions

Originally, Khamas was an upanga raga (uses only the notes in the parent scale). Later with the usage in javalis and other later compositions, the bhashanga type of Khamas came into use (using notes external to the scale).[1] Kakali nishadam (N3) is introduced as anya swara (external note) occasionally.[1]

According to Muthuswami Dikshitar school of music, Khamas is a sampurna raga with no zig-zag notes (no vakra usage).[1][2]

Khamāj (खमाज) of Hindustani Music closely resembles Khamas raga. The Hindi film song ‘Tere Mere Milan Ki’ from the movie Abhimaan is based on Khamaj.[3]

There are many compositions set to Khamas rāgam. Here are some popular kritis composed in this ragam.

Film Compositions

Language:Tamil

Song Movie Composer Singer
Orunaal Oru Pozhuthu Thiruneelakantar Papanasam Sivan M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Maanida Jenmam Meendum Vandhidumo Raja Mukthi C. R. Subburaman
Naan Pesa Vanthen Palloti Valartha Killi Illayaraja S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Pallaviye Charanam Oruvar Vaazhum Aalayam
Roja Ondru Mutham(Karnataka Khamas Based) Komberi Mookan
Margazhi Matham Panjami(Unreleased Movie) S. Janaki, T. V. Gopalakrishnan
Kootathilae Kovil Pura(Karnataka Khamas Based) Idaya Kovil S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Ponnil Vaanam(Karnataka Khamas Based) Villu Pattukaran S. Janaki
Uyirum Neeye Pavithra A. R. Rahman P. Unnikrishnan
Sakiyae Nee Anthimanthaarai
Oru Naal Oru Pozhudu Swarnalatha
Poo Poovaa Unnai Kann Theduthey Deva S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Febi Mani

Notes

  1. ↑ Alternate notations:
    • Hindustani: S M G M P D Ṉ Ṡ
    • Western: C F E F G A B♭ C
  2. ↑ Alternate notations:
    • Hindustani: Ṡ Ṉ D P M G R S
    • Western: C B♭ A G F E D C

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ragas in Carnatic music by Dr. S. Bhagyalekshmy, Pub. 1990, CBH Publications
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Raganidhi by P. Subba Rao, Pub. 1964, The Music Academy of Madras
  3. ↑ Hindustani music's equivalent of Khamas Raga
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