Asavari beginner Scale: D#

Hamko Man Ki Shakti Dena — Harmonium Notes

Learn Hamko Man Ki Shakti Dena school prayer on harmonium.

How to Play Hamko Man Ki Shakti Dena on Harmonium

Hamko Man Ki Shakti Dena is one of India’s most cherished school prayers, sung by millions of children every morning across the country. Learning the harmonium notes for this prayer is a natural first step for harmonium students who want to accompany school assemblies. Set your harmonium to D# and follow the sargam notation below to play Hamko Man Ki Shakti Dena on harmonium.

Song Background

Hamko Man Ki Shakti Dena was composed by the legendary music director duo Vasant Desai with lyrics by Gulzar for the 1971 Hindi film “Guddi” directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The song was sung by Vani Jairam and became instantly popular beyond the film, finding its way into school assemblies across India. The prayer asks God for the strength to do the right thing: “Give us the strength of mind so that we do not think ill of anyone, so that we win and not run away from difficulties.” Its message of moral courage and kindness resonated deeply with educators, and it was adopted as a daily prayer in thousands of schools. The melody is deliberately simple — set in Raga Asavari — to allow large groups of children to sing in unison. Gulzar’s lyrics are in everyday Hindi, making the meaning accessible even to young students. For harmonium players, this song represents the school prayer tradition that has made the harmonium an essential instrument in Indian education.

Complete Sargam Notation

Below are the complete harmonium notes in sargam notation for all stanzas of this prayer.

SargamLyrics
Pa Sa Sa Re ga Re Sa SaHamko Man Ki Shakti Dena
Sa Re ga Ma Pa Pa Ma ga ReMan Vijay Karein
Pa Sa Sa Re ga Re Sa SaDoosron Ki Jai Se Pehle
Sa Re ga Ma Pa Pa Ma ga ReKhud Ko Jai Karein
ga Ma Pa Pa dha Pa Ma gaBhed Bhaav Apne Dil Se
Ma ga Re Re ga Re Sa SaSaaf Kar Sakein
Pa Sa Sa Re ga Re Sa SaDoosron Ki Jai Se Pehle
Re ga Ma ga Re Sa ni SaKhud Ko Jai Karein

Raga Context

Hamko Man Ki Shakti Dena is set in Raga Asavari, a morning raga known for its contemplative, introspective character. Asavari uses three komal (flat) notes: komal Ga, komal Dha, and komal Ni. These komal notes give the raga a gentle, reflective quality that perfectly suits a morning prayer about self-improvement and inner strength. Unlike the dramatic use of Asavari in patriotic songs, here the komal notes create a soft, calming atmosphere appropriate for the start of a school day. The raga’s morning-time association also makes it culturally fitting for an assembly prayer. For harmonium students, this song provides a gentle introduction to komal notes because the melody moves slowly and predictably, giving your fingers time to find the correct black keys.

Step-by-Step Practice Guide

  1. Set your scale. Tune to D# or use the scale selector on web harmonium to find a comfortable key.
  2. Identify the komal notes. This song uses komal ga, komal dha, and komal ni. Locate these on the harmonium keyboard — they are the black keys adjacent to Ga, Dha, and Ni.
  3. Learn the first phrase. Pa Sa Sa Re ga Re Sa Sa — notice how it starts from Pa of the lower octave, jumps to Sa, touches komal ga briefly, and returns. The repetition of Sa creates a steady, drone-like quality.
  4. Add the second phrase. Sa Re ga Ma Pa Pa Ma ga Re — this line ascends to Pa and descends symmetrically. The komal ga appears naturally in both directions.
  5. Practice the middle section. Lines five and six (ga Ma Pa Pa dha Pa Ma ga) introduce komal dha in the ascending passage. Take extra time here to place your finger accurately on the komal dha key.
  6. Keep a steady, march-like tempo. This is a school prayer meant for group recitation. Your harmonium should provide a steady melodic guide at a walking pace. Avoid rushing or slowing down.
  7. Practice with even bellows. Push the bellows at a constant rate throughout. The prayer should sound uniform and calming, without dynamic peaks or valleys. This steady sound anchors a group of singers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What scale should I use for Hamko Man Ki Shakti Dena? D# is the standard scale. Use the scale selector on web harmonium to adjust to your preferred key. The harmonium notes and sargam notation remain unchanged.

Is this song suitable for beginners? Yes, despite using Raga Asavari (which has komal notes), the melody is slow and repetitive, making it very accessible for beginners. It is an excellent introduction to komal notes in a forgiving musical context.

What other school prayers can I learn on harmonium? For other school assembly songs, try Tumhi Ho Mata Pita and Vaishnav Jan To on this site. All three are commonly used in Indian schools.

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