Gunkali (Bhairav anga)

This is a variety of raga Bhairav and is entirely different from Gunkali of Bilawal anga.

Thhaat (parent scale)

Bhairav

Jaati:

Audav (pentatonic)

Vaadi:

Shadja (S)

Samvaadi:

Pancham (P)

Swaras:

Omits Gandhar and Nishad  (G and N) completely, employs Komal Rishabh and Dhaivat (r and d); rest shuddh swaras

Aaroh (ascent):

S r M P d S’  (Western notation: C C# F G G# C )

Avaroh (descent)

S’ d P M r S (Western notation: C G# G F C# C )

Key phrases:

S d.d. S, S r M, M r S r M P, M P d P M, S r P M, M r S, M P d S’, S’r’S’, S’r’S’d, P d M, M r S

Time:

Morning

According to some musicians the name of this raga is Gunakri and not Gunkali. But this version of Gunkali is more popular. The absence of Gandhar and Nishad separates this raga from Bhairav.        

Bibliography

1.       The Oxford Encyclopaedia of the Music of India

Links

1.      Pandit Jasraj (vocal)

2.      Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty (vocal)

3.      Ustad Rashid Khan (vocal)

Bhairav, Gunkali, Hindustani, Morning