The Shiv aarti — and, if you already know Om Jai Jagdish Hare, a song you can play this minute. The two aartis share a melody note for note; only the words change. That shared tune is the backbone of North Indian household aarti, and learning it once unlocks several songs.
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.
S S | S S S Ṇ | S ROm jai Shiv OmkaraR G M | P P D P M | G M RSwami jai Shiv OmkaraThe same notes as Western keys
| Line | Keys | Sargam |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C C · C C C B↓ · C D | S S · S S S Ṇ · S R |
| 2 | D E F · G G A G F · E F D | R G M · P P D P M · G M R |
हिंदी में — सरगम
| सा सा · सा सा सा ऩि · सा रे | ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा |
| रे ग म · प प ध प म · ग म रे | स्वामी जय शिव ओंकारा |
How to play it
- If you know Om Jai Jagdish, you know this. The melody is identical. Play the notes you already have and change the words — the fastest second song any harmonium beginner can add.
- Drone on Sa. Set the drone to your Sa. This melody circles Sa constantly, and the drone is what turns the circling into devotional weight rather than repetition.
- Learn the dip. The one distinctive move in line 1 is the drop to the Ni below Sa and straight back. Play S Ṇ S until it feels like one gesture rather than three notes.
Common questions
What are the harmonium notes for Om Jai Shiv Omkara?
With Sa on C: line 1 is S S · S S S Ṇ · S R, line 2 is R G M · P P D P M · G M R. All white keys; Ṇ is the Ni below Sa.
Is Om Jai Shiv Omkara the same tune as Om Jai Jagdish Hare?
Yes — note for note. The two aartis share a melody and differ only in their words. Several other household aartis use the same tune, which is why it is worth learning properly once.
Do I need any black keys?
No. The whole opening sits on white keys, which is part of why this tune became the standard vehicle for household aarti texts.
Where to go next
- Om Jai Jagdish Hare — harmonium notes with the same follow-along player.
- Jai Ambe Gauri — 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.