The Durga aarti heard at every Navratri garba — and the one household aarti in this collection that leans on a black key from its first phrase. The komal Ga in the opening is what gives it the plaintive colour that sets it apart from the white-key aartis.
The sargam, line by line
Sa is on C. Capital letters are shuddha (natural) swaras, lowercase is komal (flat), and a dot under a letter — written here as Ṇ — means the octave below. Each ▶ plays just that line on the keyboard above; turn on 🐢 Slow while you learn.
R g R g RAmbe tu hai JagdambeS SKaliThe same notes as Western keys
| Line | Keys | Sargam |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D E♭ D E♭ D | R g R g R |
| 2 | C C | S S |
हिंदी में — सरगम
| रे ग॒ रे ग॒ रे | अम्बे तू है जगदम्बे |
| सा सा | काली |
How to play it
- Find the komal Ga first. It is E♭, the black key just above D. The opening rocks between D and that black key — get the two under your fingers before you try the phrase.
- Rock, do not strike. R g R g is an oscillation, not four separate notes. Keep them legato: release each key only as the next one sounds.
- Land Sa softly. After the oscillation, the drop to Sa is the resolution. Give it length and let the bellows ease rather than punch it.
Common questions
What are the harmonium notes for Ambe Tu Hai Jagdambe?
With Sa on C, the opening seven notes are R g R g R S S — Re and komal Ga (E♭) alternating, then resolving to Sa. Two independent published notations agree on them exactly.
Is this the same as Jai Ambe Gauri?
No. Both are Durga aartis for Navratri, but they are separate compositions. Jai Ambe Gauri uses the white-key Om Jai Jagdish melody; this one opens on Re with a komal Ga and has its own tune.
Why only seven notes?
Because that is where the published sources stop agreeing. Beyond the opening they give different continuations, and we would rather print a short verified phrase than a long guessed one.
Where to go next
- Jai Ambe Gauri — harmonium notes with the same follow-along player.
- Om Jai Jagdish Hare — harmonium notes with the same follow-along player.
- Happy Birthday — harmonium notes with the same follow-along player.
- All song notes — every song we publish, each with a follow-along player.
- The harmonium notes chart — sargam, komal and tivra, and the 10-thaat system.