Melakarta 28 · Bana chakra · M1 ★ concert raga
Harikambhoji
हरिकाम्भोजी
Harikambhoji is the 28th melakarta raga. Its scale is S R2 G3 M1 P D2 N2 — the Western Mixolydian mode. It carries a mood of Shringara: beauty and longing; the air breathes.
Hear it from musicians
Signature phrases for Harikambhoji, recorded by musicians in the community and curated by Jason Zac. Every phrase carries the artist’s name and link — add your own voice to this raga.
The scale and its Western intervals
Reading up from Sa, Harikambhoji is built from a major second, a major third, a perfect fourth, a perfect fifth, a major sixth, a minor seventh. In Carnatic terms that is S R2 G3 M1 P D2 N2; in Hindustani sargam, S R G m P D n (the Khamaj thaat).
| Degree | Swara | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | S | unison (1) |
| 2 | R2 | major second (M2) |
| 3 | G3 | major third (M3) |
| 4 | M1 | perfect fourth (P4) |
| 5 | P | perfect fifth (P5) |
| 6 | D2 | major sixth (M6) |
| 7 | N2 | minor seventh (m7) |
How Harikambhoji harmonizes
Stack thirds on each note of Harikambhoji and these chords appear. Home is the chord on Sa; the chord on Pa is the dominant that pulls back to it.
- I C majorhome
- v Gm minordominant
- VII Bb majordominant
- ii Dm minorpredominant
- IV F majorpredominant
- vi Am minorcolour
- iii° Edim diminishedcolour
Learn the method in how to harmonize a raga.
Janya ragas of Harikambhoji
These child ragas are born from Harikambhoji by dropping notes or bending the path: Mohanam, Kambhoji, Navarasakannada, Rageshri, Tilang, Natakurinji, Suruti, Kedaragowla, Sahana, Yadukula Kambhoji, Balahamsa, Ravichandrika, Khamas, Narayani, Eesamanohari. Each card shows the three things that make a janya itself: how many notes it keeps, which way its road runs (any vakra turn is ringed in red), and how it glides between swaras. See how janya ragas work.
Mohanamमोहनम्
The beloved pentatonic; joy with no shadow.
Drops M1 and N2 from Harikambhoji. Hindustani cousin: Bhupali (Bhoop).
Kambhojiकाम्भोजी
A monarch among janyas; centuries of varnams and kritis.
Keeps all seven notes of Harikambhoji; only the path differs.
Navarasakannadaनवरसकन्नड
Leaps from Pa straight home going up, then fills in richly without touching Pa at all.
Keeps all seven notes of Harikambhoji; only the path differs.
Rageshriरागेश्री
Soft and late-evening, floating on Ga-Ma-Dha with no panchama to anchor it.
Drops P from Harikambhoji. Hindustani cousin: Rageshree.
Tilangतिलंग
Climbs on the sharp seventh and comes down on the flat one; no Ri, no Dha.
Drops R2 and D2 from Harikambhoji. Hindustani cousin: Tilang.
Natakurinjiनाटकुरिञ्जि
Playful and folk-warm; the upper reaches keep circling back.
Keeps all seven notes of Harikambhoji; only the path differs.
Surutiसुरुटि
Auspicious, mangala; a raga for temple processions.
Keeps all seven notes of Harikambhoji; only the path differs.
Kedaragowlaकेदारगौळ
Sister to Suruti, but expansive and slow-breathing.
Keeps all seven notes of Harikambhoji; only the path differs.
Sahanaसहाना
Tender and pleading; every phrase leans on its gamaka.
Keeps all seven notes of Harikambhoji; only the path differs.
Yadukula Kambhojiयदुकुलकाम्भोजि
Grave and settled; a raga that never hurries.
Keeps all seven notes of Harikambhoji; only the path differs.
Balahamsaबालहंस
A young swan; plain-spoken and buoyant.
Drops G3 from Harikambhoji.
Ravichandrikaरविचन्द्रिका
Also called Bahudari’s neighbour; sunlit and quick to smile.
Keeps all seven notes of Harikambhoji; only the path differs.
Khamasखमास्
The javali raga; playful, sensual, at home in light classical.
Keeps all seven notes of Harikambhoji; only the path differs.
Narayaniनारायणी
Bright and devotional; no Ga either way.
Drops G3 from Harikambhoji.
Eesamanohariईशमनोहरी
A rare Harikambhoji child; the descent skips Pa entirely.
Keeps all seven notes of Harikambhoji; only the path differs.
Music to learn in Harikambhoji
- Undedi Ramudokkadu — Tyagaraja
- Dinamani Vamsa — Tyagaraja
- Evari Mata (janya Kambhoji) — Tyagaraja
Questions about Harikambhoji
What is the Harikambhoji raga?
Harikambhoji is melakarta number 28 in the 72-raga system of Carnatic music. Its scale is S R2 G3 M1 P D2 N2, which is the Western Mixolydian mode.
Is Harikambhoji the same as the Western Mixolydian mode?
Yes. Harikambhoji has exactly the same seven notes as the Mixolydian mode, so the two are the same scale under different names.
What are famous compositions in Harikambhoji?
Well-known pieces include Undedi Ramudokkadu (Tyagaraja), Dinamani Vamsa (Tyagaraja), Evari Mata (janya Kambhoji) (Tyagaraja).
What are the janya ragas of Harikambhoji?
Its well-known child ragas include Mohanam, Kambhoji, Navarasakannada, Rageshri, Tilang, Natakurinji, Suruti, Kedaragowla, Sahana, Yadukula Kambhoji, Balahamsa, Ravichandrika, Khamas, Narayani, Eesamanohari.