Janya raga · child of melakarta 28, Harikambhoji · vakra
Khamas
खमास्
Khamas is a janya (child) raga born from Harikambhoji, the 28th melakarta. It is shadava (six notes) in ascent, classified shadava-sampurna. It is bhashanga: it borrows swaras from outside its parent. It carries a mood of Shringara: beauty and longing; the air breathes.
Khamasखमास्
The javali raga; in that lighter repertoire N3 slips in from outside.
Keeps all seven notes of Harikambhoji; only the path differs. Touches N3 in its phrases, outside the written path.
Arohanam and avarohanam
Khamas climbs and falls along these paths:
| Arohanam (up) | S M1 G3 M1 P D2 N2 S' |
|---|---|
| Avarohanam (down) | S' N2 D2 P M1 G3 R2 S |
| Notes | 6 ascending, 7 descending (shadava-sampurna) |
| Hindustani sargam | S R G m P D n |
The javali raga; in that lighter repertoire N3 slips in from outside.
Anya swaras (from outside Harikambhoji): N3 in its phrases only.
Parent and paths checked against karnatik.com, Wikipedia (List of Janya ragas), ragasurabhi.com.
The notes of Khamas, as Western intervals
| Swara | Interval above Sa |
|---|---|
| S | unison (1) |
| R2 | major second (M2) |
| G3 | major third (M3) |
| M1 | perfect fourth (P4) |
| P | perfect fifth (P5) |
| D2 | major sixth (M6) |
| N2 | minor seventh (m7) |
See how every swara becomes an interval in melakarta and Western music.
Songs to learn in Khamas
- Brochevarevarura, Mysore Vasudevachar
- Dandanathaya, Muthuswami Dikshitar
The parent: Harikambhoji
Khamas keeps the tuning of its parent Harikambhoji but walks its own road. To see the full seven-note scale it is drawn from, its chords and its other children, read the Harikambhoji guide, or learn how janya ragas work in general.
Questions about Khamas
What is the Khamas raga?
Khamas is a janya (derived) raga of the 28th melakarta, Harikambhoji. Its arohanam is S M1 G3 M1 P D2 N2 S' and its avarohanam is S' N2 D2 P M1 G3 R2 S.
What are the arohanam and avarohanam of Khamas?
Arohanam (ascending): S M1 G3 M1 P D2 N2 S'. Avarohanam (descending): S' N2 D2 P M1 G3 R2 S.
What are famous songs in Khamas?
Well-known compositions include Brochevarevarura (Mysore Vasudevachar), Dandanathaya (Muthuswami Dikshitar).