One of the most ancient and popular ragas, Bhairavi means Bhairav’s consort, or the better half of Shiva. Its ubiquitous character makes it popular among all genres of Hindustani music.
Thhaat (parent scale)
Bhairavi
Jaati:
Sampoorna (heptatonic)
Vaadi:
Madhyam (M)
Samvaadi:
Shadja (S)
Swaras:
Employs Komal Rishabh, Gandhar, Dhaivat and Nishad (r, g, d, n), rest Shuddh Swaras
Aaroh (ascent):
S r g M P d n S’ (Western notation: C C# D# F G G# A# C)
Avaroh (descent)
S’ n d P M g r S (Western notation: C A# G# G F D# C# C)
Key phrases:
M g S r S, d.n. S g M g r S, n. S g M P, g M P d P, n d P, S’n d P, n d M P g , S r g M g r S
Time:
Morning
Bhairavi is an all-time raga. It can be performed at any time of the day but it is customary to end a concert with this raga because traditionally, after Bhairavi no musical piece is offered. Many musicians prefer to sing lighter pieces in this raga as such it is less heard in Khayal form and a lot of liberty is taken while singing it by employing almost all twelve notes.
Bibliography
1. Bhatkhande V.N. (1919-1937) ‘Kramik Pustak Malika Vol 1-6’
2. The Raganess of Ragas by Deepak Raja
3. The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Music of India
Links
1. Ustad Abdul Karim Khan (thumri vocal)
2. Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty (vocal)
3. Kaushiki Chakraborty (vocal)
4. Indrani Mukherjee (thumri vocal)
5. Debasmita Bhattacharya (sarod)
Dr. Prabha Atre leads an ensemble performance of Raag Bhairavi at Darbar Festival 2014.
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