Kambhoji

The scales of Raga Kambhoji (the other major spelling variation being Kambodhi) are as follows :

Aarohanam (Ascending) : S R2 G3 M1 P D2 S’
Avarohanam (Descending) : S’ N2 D2 P M1 G3 R2 S , with N3 used rarely as anya swaram.

This raga is a Janya Raga, derived from Harikambhoji (below), 28th on the Melakarta scale.

Though a janya raga, it is a major raga and enjoys an important place in Carnatic Music along with the major melas like Todi, Shankharabharanam, Kalyani and Kharaharapriya. It is an old raga and has been mentioned as early as the 7th century. Given its name, its origins are probably from the Kamboj or Kambhoj people, a territory possibly in North-West India. This Raga lends itself to detailed elaborations and sounds good in all tempos. It is considered auspicious, and its mood is both tranquil and courageous. It is often described as being majestic.  All the major composers have contributed a number of kritis in this raga; some well-known kritis are O Rangashayee by Tyagaraja, Sri Subrahmanyaya namaste and Maragata Vallim by Muthuswami Dikshithar, Kana Kan Koti Vendum by Papanasam Sivan, Thiruvadi Sharanam by Gopalakrishna Bharati and Kuzhaloodi Manamellam by Oothukadu Venkata Subbaiyer.

Note: The 12 notes in the octave are named as below. Please note that C is used as Sa for the sake of simplicity as the scale is relative in Carnatic Music. Also note that the scales paint only a superficial picture of the raga as the gamakas(ornamentations) are a very important part of a raga.