A khatka is a brisk decorative flick: a small bunch of notes delivered in one sharp, instantaneous gesture around a central note. It is quicker and more clipped than a meend and brighter, more accented than a soft murki.
Khatkas pepper thumri, ghazal and light-classical singing, adding sparkle and rhythmic snap to a line. Like other alankar, the choice and placement of khatkas is part of personal and gharana style.
Used well, a khatka punctuates a phrase with a sudden, pleasing catch in the voice.