Bhairavi intermediate Scale: G#

Mere Rashke Qamar — Harmonium Notes

Learn Mere Rashke Qamar on harmonium. Popular qawwali.

How to Play Mere Rashke Qamar on Harmonium

Mere Rashke Qamar is a powerful qawwali that has transcended generations, from its original rendition to its modern Bollywood revival. Learning the harmonium notes for this song gives you access to one of the most emotionally charged melodies in the qawwali tradition. Set your harmonium to G# and follow the sargam notation below to play Mere Rashke Qamar on harmonium.

Song Background

Mere Rashke Qamar was originally composed and performed by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the undisputed king of qawwali music. The title translates to “O envy of the moon” — a poetic way of saying “you who are more beautiful than the moon.” The lyrics, written in Urdu, express intense romantic devotion with the characteristic Sufi ambiguity that allows the poem to be read as both earthly and divine love. The song gained massive renewed popularity when it was re-recorded by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan (Nusrat’s nephew) for the 2017 Bollywood film “Baadshaho.” The melody is rooted in Raga Bhairavi, which provides the emotional depth and melancholic beauty that makes this qawwali so moving. For harmonium players, Mere Rashke Qamar is an important piece because it demonstrates how Bhairavi’s komal notes can express passionate intensity rather than just sadness.

Complete Sargam Notation

Here are the complete harmonium notes in sargam notation for the main melody.

SargamLyrics
ma ga re Sa re re ga ma PaMere Rashke Qamar
Pa ma ga re ga re SaTune Pehli Nazar
Sa re ga ma Pa Pa dha PaJab Nazar Se Milayi Maza
ma ga re Sa re ga re SaAa Gaya Woh Nazar
Pa dha ni Sa’ ni dha Pa maMere Rashke Qamar
ga ma Pa ma ga re SaTu Ne Pehli Nazar
Sa re ga ma dha Pa ma gaJab Nazar Se Milayi
re ga re Sa ni SaMaza Aa Gaya

Raga Context

Mere Rashke Qamar is composed in Raga Bhairavi, one of the most complete and expressive ragas in Hindustani music. Bhairavi uses all komal (flat) notes: komal Re, komal Ga, komal Dha, and komal Ni, along with shuddh Ma. This gives the raga a deeply emotional, introspective quality that can express everything from devotional surrender to passionate longing. Bhairavi is traditionally performed as the concluding raga of a concert because it is considered the “queen of ragas” and brings completeness. In this qawwali, Bhairavi’s komal notes create an atmosphere of intense yearning that perfectly complements the love poetry. The interplay between komal ga and shuddh Ma creates characteristic tension-and-release patterns that make Bhairavi melodies instantly recognizable and deeply moving.

Step-by-Step Practice Guide

  1. Set your scale. Tune to G# or use web harmonium to find a comfortable key.
  2. Locate all komal notes. Bhairavi uses four komal notes (re, ga, dha, ni). Identify these black keys on your harmonium. Spend time playing just these notes to familiarize your fingers with their positions.
  3. Learn the opening phrase. ma ga re Sa re re ga ma Pa — this begins with a descent to Sa and then rises back up. The repeated “re re” creates the characteristic Bhairavi murmur. Practice this until it flows naturally.
  4. Work on the ascending section. Sa re ga ma Pa Pa dha Pa shows the upward movement in Bhairavi. Notice how all notes except Ma are komal, giving the ascent a distinctive soft quality.
  5. Practice the upper octave phrases. Pa dha ni Sa’ ni dha Pa ma moves into the upper range. The komal dha and ni here create a haunting, atmospheric quality that distinguishes Bhairavi from other ragas.
  6. Build qawwali intensity. Start each cycle softly and build volume through bellows pressure as the phrase ascends. Qawwali is about emotional crescendo — mirror that with your playing dynamics.
  7. Add rhythmic drive. While the melody is beautiful played freely, qawwali has a driving rhythmic quality. Once comfortable with the notes, practice playing them with a steady, propulsive rhythm in Kaharwa taal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What scale should I use for Mere Rashke Qamar? G# is the standard scale. Use the scale selector on web harmonium to transpose. The harmonium notes and sargam notation remain the same in any key.

Is this song suitable for beginners? It is rated intermediate because of the multiple komal notes in Raga Bhairavi. However, the melody is repetitive and the tempo is moderate, making it approachable for players who have mastered at least a few simpler songs.

What other songs use Raga Bhairavi? Bhairavi is one of the most common ragas in Indian music. Many film songs and devotional pieces use its framework. On this site, for other emotionally intense compositions, try Satyam Shivam Sundaram and Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon.

Related Content