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Kāmbhōji

Janya of Harikāmbhōji (28)

Royal, dignified

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Ārōhaṇa (ascending)

  1. S
  2. R₂
  3. G₃
  4. M₁
  5. P
  6. D₂

Avarōhaṇa (descending)

  1. N₂
  2. D₂
  3. P
  4. M₁
  5. G₃
  6. R₂
  7. S

Signature phrase

S R₂ G₃ M₁ P D₂ Ṡ

The pakad (catch-phrase) is the 4-8 svara motif that defines this raga's identity. Internalise this phrase first — it's what your ear reaches for when the raga returns to its home base.

Rāga grammar

Vādi (king svara)
P
Samvādi (queen svara)
R₂
Jīva (life-giving)
G₃ P D₂
Nyāsa (resting)
S G₃ P
Graha (phrase-starting)
S R₂ G₃ P

When to play

The raga for utsava-sampradāya (temple-festival style) compositions and bhakti bhajans. Best in the second-half of a concert as a refreshing contrast to heavy alapana ragas.

Time: Conventionally evening to early-night. The 'liminal' raga that bridges day and night.Rasa: Bhakti, śṛṅgāra, hāsya — light devotional joy.Position: main

Gamaka signature

Distinctive oscillation on D₂ and the 'Kāmbhōji dātus' — phrases like D P / D M / P D / M P D. The Ni₃ is oscillated against D₂; the G₃ is held straight.

Historical context

Named for the ancient Kāmbhōja (Cambodia) kingdom — one of the rare ragas with a geographic name preserved from early Sangita literature. Hosts utsava-prabandha kritis of Tyāgarāja (Dākṣiṇāmutha, Enthātho) and several Muttiah Bhagavatar compositions. The Hindustani equivalent is Khamaj.

Key compositions to hear first

  • Enthātho Rāma — Tyāgarāja (Utsava)
  • Dākṣiṇāmutha — Tyāgarāja (Utsava)
  • Śobhanambā — Muttuswāmi Dīkṣitar

Listen to Kāmbhōji

Arōhaṇa-avarōhaṇa exposition with tampura drone.

Kṛtis in this rāga· 11 entries across 8 composers

Tip: open the raga × composer cross-search on /composers to explore any other raga.

Sangeet Parijat — Ahobala's notes

Graha (opening)
Sa
Aṁśa (king svara)
Pa
Nyāsa (rest svara)
Sa
Time
After 2nd prahara
Gīti
Sādhāraṇī
Gamaka
kampita

An ancient grama-raga form. Bhāṣānga gandhāra appears in descent.

Compose in this ragaPractice this raga

Similar ragas

Top 5 by mūrchhanā + aṁśa + nyāsa + graha + gītī overlap. Match score shown.

Kāmbhōji — Karunattu