• Raag Khambavati •

S-R-G-m-P-D-n-S


A loose mixture involving Khamaj, Jhinjhoti, and Mand, with different renditions emphasising varied facets of these ragas. The movements of the former tend to predominate: as per Deepak Raja, “normally performed in slow or medium tempo, with low to medium melodic density…an instant identification of Khambavati, as distinct from Jhinjhoti, requires consummate musicianship. This depends largely on the signature phrase Gm\S, executed with a leisurely meend from ma to Sa…Except for [DSRm; DmPDS; mPNS; GmS], all other phrases of Khambavati may be encountered in Jhinjhoti”. Vocalist Moumita Mitra (who in 2024 unveiled her new hybrid ‘Jaij-Khambavati‘) notes that “there are common lines with Jaijaiwanti: e.g. Khambavati’s RPDn, RnDP, nPNS and Jaijaiwanti’s RGnPDn, RnDP, nPnS. However, Khambavati’s nyas is more on Ga, and Jaijaiwanti’s is on Re“. Ascending lines often alternate between Dha and ni (SRmPDS; SRmPnS), with some variants employing a double-Ni. Also refer to allied forms such as Champak and Sindhura, as well as other Khamaj-infused ragas [and note that the Jaipur-Atrauli raga known by the name ‘Khambavati’ is a distinct entity, essentially identical to Rageshri].


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Aroha: SRmPDS / SRmPnS
Avroh: SnDPmGS

Chalan: e.g. SRnDS; DSRm; RmP; DmPDS; DSRGS; RnDP; Dm; GmS (Raja)

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—Kishori Amonkar (~1990s)—


[refrain, e.g. 4:03] (S)GR (R)m, P D(PD) S, (mDPnDS)R S\n DP, mP P(DPDPmP)D (P)m, R(PmDPm)P (mP)G, S(mR)m, P D(PD) S

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• Ragmalas •

Historic miniature paintings (learn more)

“Khambavati Ragini, a worshipper of Lord Brahma” (Jaipur, c.1750) / “A female mendicant makes a yajna [fire offering] to Brahma: who has four overlapping faces, and holds a text, a flower, and a mala [beaded string]…” (Rajasthan, c.1675)

• Recent Raga Index Updates (Feb 2026): Up to 365 Megalist pages! Recent adds include AsaBayatiDeepavali, Chanchalas Malhar, DoGa KalyanGaud, Japaniya, KaushikiLatangi, Loom, Maru, Meerabai Malhar, Palas, Sarangkauns, Shankh Dhwani, Shivanjali, Sohini Bahar (+ try out ‘Audav Meladalan‘) • What does ‘Kauns’ mean? Analysing 60+ Kauns ragas Bifurcations‘: ‘poorvang vs. uttarang’ splits • Amir Khan’s ‘168 merukhands’ • Introduced the ‘complements‘ concept • Experiments (e.g. overtonal Bhairav, jazz Malkauns) • Survey of Sa Tunings • More Masterlist ragas (1000+)

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• Classifiers •

Explore hidden inter-raga connections: swara geometries, melodic features, murchana sets, ragangas, & more (also see the Full Tag List):


Swaras: -4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10+

Sapta: Audav | Shadav | Sampurna

Poorvang: SRGM | SRG | SRM | SGM

Uttarang: PDNS | PDS | PNS | DNS

Varjit: Re | Ga | Ma | Pa | Dha | Ni

Thaat: 10 | 32Enclosed | Inexact

Chal: All-shuddha | All-komal | Ma-tivra

Gaps: Anh. | Hemi. | 3-row | 4-row | 5-row


Aroha: Audav | Shadav | Sampurna

Avroh: Audav | Shadav | Sampurna

Jati: Equal | Balanced | Av.+1 | Av.+2

Samay: Morning | Aftern. | Eve. | Night

Construction: Jod | Mishra | Oddball

Origin: Ancient | Carnatic | Modern

Dominance: Poorvang | Uttarang

Prevalence: A-list | Prachalit | Aprach.

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• Prakriti: Khamaj thaat, Khamaj, Jhinjhoti, KambhojiSameshwari, Sakh, Gaoti
Also compare to other members of the Khamaj raganga

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–Swara Geometries–

Core form: SRGmPDnS
Reverse: SRgmPdnS (=Darbari)
Complement: SrgMdNS (=Gujiri Todi)
Imperfect: 1 (Ga)
Detached: none
Symmetries: mirror (r—P)
Murchanas: Bilawal set

Quirks: maximal‘ (swaras are optimally ‘spread out’)

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–Global Translations–

Carnatic: ~Balahamsa
S-R2-G3-M1-P-D2-N2-S
Jazz: Mixolydian
1-2-3-4-5-6-b7-8
Pitch classes (‘fret-jumps’):
0-2-4-5-7-9-10-0
(2–2–1–2–2–1–2)

o • o • o o • o • o o • o


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• Tanpura: Sa–Pa (+Pa)
• Names: Khambavati, Kambavati, Khamba Vatee (n.b. the Jaipur-Atrauli raga known as ‘Khambavati’ is essentialy identical to Rageshri)
• Transliterations: Hindi (खम्बावती)

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—D.V. Paluskar (~1950s)—

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