Raga Bhairavi is a popular and versatile raga in Indian classical music. It is often referred to as the queen of ragas, and is said to evoke feelings of devotion, love, and tranquility. Bhairavi is a very ancient raga and is believed to have originated from the folk music of India.
The raga belongs to the Bhairavi thaat and is characterized by the use of all seven notes of the octave, including both flat and sharp variations of the third and seventh notes. The dominant notes are the tonic (sa), the fifth (pa), and the second (re). The raga has a wide range and is typically performed in the early morning or late evening.
Bhairavi is a very flexible raga and is used in a wide range of compositions, including thumris, bhajans, and film music. Some popular compositions based on Bhairavi include “Bhavani Dayani” by Pandit Jasraj, “Aaye Na Baalam” by Ustad Amir Khan, and “Hame Tumse Pyar Kitna” from the Bollywood film “Kudrat”.
The raga is often used in devotional music and is associated with several Hindu deities, including Shiva, Durga, and Krishna. It is also used in Sufi music and has been performed by several famous Sufi singers, including Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Abida Parveen.
Overall, Raga Bhairavi is a very versatile and emotive raga that has a wide range of applications in Indian classical music. Its timeless beauty and flexibility have made it a favorite among both musicians and audiences alike.
Listen to the clips
- Bhairavi · Aroha Biplab Mukherjee · from Sangeetpedia
- Bhairavi · Avaroha Biplab Mukherjee · from Sangeetpedia
- Bhairavi · Pakad Biplab Mukherjee · from Sangeetpedia
How to read the notation (S r R g G m M P d D n N)
Notation symbols
| Symbol | Meaning | Western equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| S | SA | C |
| r | Komal RE (flat Re) | D♭ (C#) |
| R | RE (natural Re) | D |
| g | Komal GA (flat Ga) | E♭ (D#) |
| G | GA (natural Ga) | E |
| m | MA (natural Ma) | F |
| M | Tivra MA (sharp Ma) | F# (G♭) |
| P | PA | G |
| d | Komal DHA (flat Dha) | A♭ (G#) |
| D | DHA (natural Dha) | A |
| n | Komal NI (flat Ni) | B♭ (A#) |
| N | NI (natural Ni) | B |
Octave indicators
| Symbol | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ' before a note | The lower octave | 'S = lower SA |
| ' after a note | The upper octave | S' = upper SA |
Timing and pauses
| Symbol | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| - after a note | The note is held | S- = hold SA |
| , after a note | A pause before the next note | S , R = pause before RE |