Raag Alhaiya Bilawal

Raag Alhaiya Bilawal became the most basic scale in Indian Classical music somewhere around the 19th century. Before then, Kafi was considered to be the 1st scale in Indian Classical music. Bilawal has the same scale as the western major scale in terms of the notes. Therefore, it’s the perfect raag to start with if you want to understand the differences between western music and Indian classical music. Watch the video to learn the difference between the raag and the scale.

Raag Alhaiya Bilawal Introduction (View western notation)

Raag Alhaiya Bilawal, a short presentation

Key Features of Alhaiya Bilawal 

  • Raag Alhaiya Bilawal (also known as just Bilawal) is a Janak raag, which means it is a root raag that the Bilawal Thaat is named after. In other words, Bilawal is the name of a Raag and a Thaat.

  • It is an uttarang raag since the vadi Dha is in the upper tetrachord.

  • It consists of both Nishaads. The komal Nishaad is only used in a vakra (non-linear) way. See the avroh below.

  • Ma is varjit (forbidden) in the aaroh.

  • Movement of notes: Vakra. This is evident in the avroh of the raag. Watch the video to learn more.

  • Mood: Serene and uplifting.

Aaroh-Avroh

s gr g p nd n su

su n d p, d N d p m g mr, g p m g mr s

Vadi, Samvadi

d, g
Nyaas Swars s, g, p
Jati Shaadav-Sampoorna
Pakad g p d N d p, p d g, r g p m g r s
Time 1st prahar of the morning (7 am - 10 am)
Thaat Bilawal

Related topics: Raag Deshkar