Bhairav (raga)

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Bhairav
Brooklyn Museum - Bhairava Raga Page from a Ragamala Series.jpg
Thaat Bhairav [1]
Type Sampurna [1]
Time of dayDaybreak; [2] Beginning of concerts (Sunrise) [1]
Arohana Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa' [1]
Avarohana Sa' Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Re Sa [1]
Pakad Ga Ma DhaDha Pa, Ga Ma ReRe Sa
Chalan Sa Ga Ma Pa DhaDha Pa Ma Ga Ma Re Sa
Vadi Dha [1]
Samavadi Re [1]
Equivalent
Similar

Bhairav is a Hindustani classical raga of Bhairav thaat. It is a sampurna raga that is traditionally performed in the morning and also as the beginning piece in concerts. It is the defining raga of its own Thaat.

Contents

Raga Kalingda in Hindustani and Ragam Mayamalavagowla in Carnatic music have the same scale as Raga Bhairav, although the moods they create can be quite different due to the way they are expounded.

According to Indian classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj, Bhairav is a "morning raga, and solemn peacefulness is its ideal mood." It is grave in mood and suggests seriousness, introversion and devotional attitude. [3]

History

Bhairav raga is an ancient raga that is considered to be extremely old and originated many centuries ago. The origin of Bhairav raga is disputed. According to some musicians, Bhairav raga was the first raga that originated from the mouth of Lord Shiva. While some musicians argue that Bhairav raga originated from the mouth of Lord Surya. This is why it was sung in the daytime. Bhairava is one of the names of Shiva especially in his powerful form as a naked ascetic with matted locks and body smeared with ashes. The ragas too have some of these masculine and ascetic attributes in their form and compositions.

The Bhairav raga itself is extremely vast and allows a huge number of note combinations and a great range of emotional qualities from valor to peace. There are many variations based on it including (but not restricted to) Ahir Bhairav, Alam Bhairav, Anand Bhairav, Bairagi Bhairav, Mohini Bhairav Beehad Bhairav, Bhavmat Bhairav, Devata Bhairav, Gauri Bhairav, Hijaz Bhairav, Shivmat Bhairav, Nat Bhairav, Bibhas, Ramkali, Gunkali, Zeelaf, Jogiya (raga), Saurashtra Bhairav, Bangal Bhairav, Komal Bhairav, Mangal Bhairav, Kaushi Bhairav, Bhatiyari Bhairav, Beehad Bhairav, Virat Bhairav, Kabiri Bhairav, Prabhat Bhairav, Roopkali, Bakula Bhairav, Hussaini Bhairav, Kalingda, Devaranjani, Asa Bhairav, Jaun Bhairav, and Bhairav.

Theory

Bhairav is grave in mood and suggests seriousness, introversion as well as devotional attitude. It shares its notes with Ahir Bhairav which has a sombre temperament.

Arohana  : Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa'

Avarohana  : Sa' Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Re Sa

Vadi  : Dha

Samavadi  : Re

Pakad  : Ga Ma DhaDha Pa, Ga Ma ReRe Sa

Chalan  : Sa Ga Ma Pa DhaDha Pa Ma Ga Ma Re Sa

Organisation and relationships

Related ragas:


Behaviour

The performance for this raga is solemnly serious. The raga comes across as a musical entity with mood of meditation, philosophical depth, and emotional richness.

Samay (time)

Bhairav is an early morning (pratham prahar) raag.

Seasonality

Bhairav is one of few ragas that can be sung in any season.

Rasa

Bhairav is typically performed with a peaceful, serious, and serene mood. In classical Hindustani language, its rasa is "Shaant aur Gambhir".

Film songs

Bhairav is a popular raga for film songs. Here are some film songs based on Bhairav:

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Raag Bhairav – Hindustani Classical Music – Tanarang.com". tanarang.com.
  2. Bor & Rao 1999.
  3. "Indian classical music: Different kinds of ragas". The Times of India. 29 September 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2021.

Sources