Raag Gauri (Bhairav Ang)
Raag Gauri has roots in the Sikh tradition and is mentioned in the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism. It has multiple versions, including those influenced by Shree ang, Poorvi ang, Bhairav ang, Marwa ang, and Kalingda ang. The focus of this article and video demonstration is the version from the Bhairav family. Raag Gauri displays shades of Kaalingda. The Bhairav family version of Gauri is also called Shuddh Gauri likely due to the use of shuddh Ma vs the teevra Ma in the Poorvi and Marwa family versions.
Raag Gauri Introduction
Raag Gauri Presentation
Key Features of Raag Gauri
Mandra Ni is a nyaas bahutva swar which means the raag has phrases that frequently rest on mandra Ni. These phrases come from Raag Kaalingda. Watch the video for a demonstration.
Komal Re and Komal Dha are unabhyaas alpatva swars, which means they are part of the raag but there’s a specific way to touch them quickly and not linger on them. Watch the video for a demonstration.
It is a poorvaang pradhaan raag. Its beauty lies in the mandra and madhya saptaks. As opposed to Gauri, Bhairav and Kaalingda are Uttaraang pradhan and early morning raags.
Movement of notes: many phrases are vakra, fickle, varied tempo depending on the phrase. Watch the video for a demonstration.
| Aaroh-Avroh | s R g, m p, D n su su n D p, m g R s R nl,s |
Vadi, Samvadi |
s, p |
| Nyaas Swars | s, g, p, n |
| Jati | Sampoorna |
| Pakad | g R s R nl, s nl Dl nl, s R g |
| Time | Sandhiprakash (Dusk) |
| Thaat | Bhairav |