Bhairavi : Introduction
Raag Bhairavi is a Hindustani Classical heptatonic (Sampurna) Raag of Bhairavi Thaat. Traditionally it is a morning raga. In modern times, typically in Khyal Gayaki, it is usually performed as the concluding (finale) piece in concerts. It is the defining raga of its own Thaat.
Carnatic music has a Bhairavi raga which is quite different from the Hindustani raga.
Hanumatodi in Carnatic music has the same scale as the Bhairavi in Hindustani music.
Theory
Writing about the musical theory of Hindustani music is fraught with complications. Firstly, there have been no set, formal methods of written notation. Secondly, Hindustani music is an aural tradition, and therefore writing is not an essential part of learning.
Behavior
Behavior refers to practical aspects of the music. It is complicated to talk about this for Hindustani music since many of the concepts are fluid, changing, or archaic. The following information cannot be accurate, but it can attempt to reflect how the music existed. The Performance for this raga is unusually relaxed, some musicians take the liberty of using shuddha Re in ascent, and even the sequence Ma – Teevra Ma. These deviations, however, are not typical of the raga. Musicians are also inclined to sometimes avoid Pa in ascent.
Samay (Time)
Bhairavi is a late morning raag.But it is also used as a concluding piece and as such has been performed even at night,but always in semi or light-classical rendering.If one has to sing or play bhairavi as a main piece it has to be in the morning time.
Seasonality
Bhairavi is one of few raags that can be sung in any season.
Rasa
Raag Bhairavi is typically performed with a peaceful, serious, and occasionally sad mood.
Raga Details
| Thaat | Bhairavi |
|---|---|
| Vaadi/Samvaadi | P/S |
| Prahar | 1 (6 am - 9 am) |
| Important Anuvaadi | |
| Aaroha | S-r-g-m-P-d-n-S’ |
| Bhaav | Shadj-Pancham |
| Avaroha | S’-n-d-P-m-g-r-S |
| Saptak-pradhaanata | Madhya-Tar |
| Pakad | ’n-S-g-m-d-P-g-m-P-g-m-r-S |
| Tanpura Tuning | P |
| Jaati | Sampoorn-Sampoorn |
| Other Characteristics | Though shuddh Re, Ga, Dha, Ni and teevra Ma are all vivadis in Bhairavi, each one can be taken in a certain way to embellish the raga. Performed during the first part of the prahar. |
| Similar Raagas | |
| Popular Film Songs | 1. Babul mora naihar chhoto hi jaye Film: Singers: Kundan Lal Sehgal Taala: Music Director: Poet: 2. Do hanson ka joda bichhad gayo re Film: Ganga Jamuna Singers: Lata Mangeshkar Taala: Dadra Music Director: Naushad Poet: Shakeel Badayuni 3. Hamen tumse pyar kitna, ye hum nahin jaanate Film: Kudrat Singers: Parveen Sultana Kishore Kumar Taala: Keharva Music Director: R. D. Burman Poet: Majrooh Sultanpuri 4. Hato kaaheko jhoothi banao batiyaan Film: Manzil Singers: Manna Dey Taala: Music Director: S. D. Burman Poet: 5. Jyot se jyot jagaate chalo Film: Sant Gyaneshwar Singers: Mukesh Taala: Keharva Music Director: Laxmikant Pyarelal Poet: Bharat Vyas 6. Kaise samjhaoon, bare nasamajh ho Film: Suraj Singers: Mohammad Rafi Asha Bhosle Taala: Teen-Taal Music Director: Shankar Jaikishan Poet: Hasrat Jaipuri 7. Kar chale ham fida jaan-o-tan saathiyo Film: Singers: Mohammad Rafi Taala: Keharva Music Director: Poet: 8. Laga chunari mein daag, chhupaoon kaise Film: Dil Hi To Hai Singers: Manna Dey Taala: Keharva Music Director: Roshan Poet: Sahir Ludhiyanvi 9. Phul gendawa na maro Film: Dooj Ka Chaand Singers: Manna Dey Taala: Music Director: Roshan Poet: Sahir Ludhiyanvi 10. Saanware, saanware Film: Anuradha Singers: Lata Mangeshkar Taala: Teen-Taal Music Director: Ravi Shankar Poet: Shailendra 11. Sajna sajna o sajna, tere pyar mein main gayi kho Film: Singers: Taala: Keharva Music Director: Poet: 12. Teri raahon mein khare hain dil thaam ke Film: Singers: Lata Mangeshkar Taala: Keharva Music Director: Poet: 13. Too ganga ki mauj main jamuna ka dhara Film: Baiju Bawra Singers: Mohammad Rafi Taala: Music Director: Naushad Poet: Shakeel Badayuni |
| Non-Film Songs | 1. Bhaj man ram charan sukhdai (Bhajan) Singers: Anup Jalota Taala: Bhajan Music Director: Poet: 2. Bharat bhaai kapi se urin hum naahi (Bhajan) Singers: Anup Jalota Taala: Music Director: Poet: Tulsidas |