Rag Bhairavi

Ragmala Painting of Rag Bhairavi (circa A.D. 1725) — *Ragmala* Painting of *Rag Bhairavi* (Sirohi-Rajasthan circa A.D. 1725)

Description

This rag is the main representative of Bhairavi That. It has traditionally been performed in the early morning hours. However, due to the fact that performances lasted all night, it has now become common to consider Bhairavi to be the finale. Today this rag is performed at any time provided it is the concluding piece. A few common songs in this rag are, “Babul Mora Naihar Chutohe Jai”, “Jyot Se Jyot Jagate Chalo”, and “Laga Chunari Me Dag Chupaun Kaise“. Please check Film Songs in Rags (Bhairavi).

There are two approaches to the performance of Bhairavi: Shuddha Bhairavi and Sindhi (Sindhu) Bhairavi. In Shuddha Bhairavi, only the notes of Bhairavi That are used. In Sindhu Bhairavi, all of the swar, both komal and tivra are used. These are opposite extremes in philosophy. Contemporary practice tends to flow somewhere in between these two approaches, although the degree seems to be a question of individual artistic interpretation.

The Vadi / Samvadi system is generally discounted by modern musicologists; those who still adhere to this theory find Bhairavi to be particularly problematic. The vadi is usually considered to be Ma and the samvadi is usually considered to be Sa. However, Ga, Dha, and Pa have also been suggested as important notes.