Khamas (raga)


Khamas or Kamās/ Khamās /Khamāch/ Khamāj / Kamāchi is a rāgam in Carnatic music. It is a janya rāgam from the 28th melakarta scale Harikambhoji. It is a janya scale, as it does not have all the seven swaras in the ascending scale.
It is a scale that evokes Shringara rasa. It is suitable for javali type compositions.

Structure and lakshana

Khamas is an asymmetric rāgam that does not contain rishabham in the ascending scale. It is a vakra-shadava-sampurna rāgam. Its structure is as follows:
  • [Arohana|] :
  • [Avarohana|] :
The notes used in this scale are shadjamam, 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. Later with the usage in javalis and other later compositions, the bhashanga type of Khamas came into use. Kakali nishadam is introduced as anya swara occasionally.
According to Muthuswami Dikshitar school of music, Khamas is a sampurna raga with no zig-zag notes.
Khamāj of Hindustani Music closely resembles Khamas raga. The Hindi film song ‘Tere Mere Milan Ki’ from the movie Abhimaan is based on Khamaj.

Popular compositions

There are many compositions set to Khamas Raga. Here are some popular Kritis, Thillanas, ''Varnams, Swarajatis, Padams and Javalis composed in this Raga.