komal

Komal is a name of Indian origin. It derives from the Sanskrit word komala, meaning soft or delicate, and is used in several Indian languages including Hindi, Marathi, and Gujarati. In many communities, Komal is primarily a female given name, though usage can be unisex in some regions.

In Hindustani classical music, komal describes a flat version of certain swaras (notes). Komal Re (Rishabh), Komal Ga (Gandhar), Komal Dha (Dhaivata), and Komal Ni (Nishad) are used in various ragas. Teevra Ma is the sharp variant of Ma; together these variants help define the characteristic tonal colors of many pieces that employ komal notes.

Several public figures bear the name Komal. Komal Nahta is an Indian film trade analyst and journalist. Komal Kothari (1936–2005) was an Indian folklorist and ethnomusicologist who documented Rajasthan's folk arts. Komal Jha (born 1989) is an Indian actress who has appeared in Tamil and Telugu cinema.

Beyond a personal name, komal is used as a descriptive term for softness or gentleness in literature and music. The word appears across Indian languages and contexts as both a name and a descriptor, reflecting its broad cultural resonance.