Raag Bhairav
Raag Bhairav is the very first Raag in Indian classical music; this is called Aadi raag. Bhairav is known as the king of early morning raags. It creates a meditative atmosphere that is majestic and masculine in character. If Bhairav were a divine person, he would be very serious and somber. This raag is a janak, or parent raag. It has produced many offspring raags, or prakaars (types) such as Ahir Bhairav, Aanand Bhairav, etc. Bhairav’s equivalent in Carnatic music is Raag Mayamalavagowla.
Watch the following videos for an introduction to Raag Bhairav.
Raag Bhairav Introduction Part I
Raag Bhairav Introduction Part II
Looking for western notation for the music played in the videos? Click here.
Key Features of Raag Bhairav
Aandolan (Oscillation) of komal Re and komal Dha swars; the timing of these movements is very important for rendering the personality of Bhairav.
Mood: Peaceful, calming, devotional, meditative, and inward-looking.
Tempo: Phrases in Raag Bhairav are rendered in a slow tempo; this is integral to the character of the raag.
| Aaroh-Avroh | s R g m p nD nD n su su n nD nD p, pg m gR gR s *optional : R and p may be skipped in Aaroh |
Vadi, Samvadi |
D, R |
| Nyaas Swars |
During ascent: s, m, p, D During descent: su, d, p, R |
| Jati | Sampoorna |
| Pakad | pg m nD nD p, pg m gR gR s |
| Time | 1st prahar of the morning (7am-10am). This is a Sandhiprakash Raag and is sung at sunrise. |
| Thaat | Bhairav |
Related Topics: Raag Ahir Bhairav, Raag Gauri
Raag Bhairav
Raag Bhairav is the very first Raag in Indian classical music; this is called Aadi raag. Bhairav is known as the king of early morning raags. It creates a meditative atmosphere that is majestic and masculine in character. If Bhairav were a divine person, he would be very serious and somber. This raag is a janak, or parent raag. It has produced many offspring raags, or prakaars (types) such as Ahir Bhairav, Aanand Bhairav, etc. Bhairav’s equivalent in Carnatic music is Raag Mayamalavagowla.
Watch the following videos for an introduction to Raag Bhairav.
Raag Bhairav Introduction Part I
Raag Bhairav Introduction Part II
Looking for western notation for the music played in the videos? Click here.
Raag Bhairav presentation
Key Features of Raag Bhairav
Aandolan (Oscillation) of komal Re and komal Dha swars; the timing of these movements is very important for rendering the personality of Bhairav.
Mood: Peaceful, calming, devotional, meditative, and inward-looking.
Tempo: Phrases in Raag Bhairav are rendered in a slow tempo; this is integral to the character of the raag.
| Aaroh-Avroh | s R g m p nD nD n su su n nD nD p, pg m gR gR s *optional : R and p may be skipped in Aaroh |
Vadi, Samvadi |
D, R |
| Nyaas Swars |
During ascent: s, m, p, D During descent: su, d, p, R |
| Jati | Sampoorna |
| Pakad | pg m nD nD p, pg m gR gR s |
| Time | 1st prahar of the morning (7am-10am). This is a Sandhiprakash Raag and is sung at sunrise. |
| Thaat | Bhairav |
Related Topics: Raag Ahir Bhairav, Raag Gauri, Raag Ramkali