Bhairav
A morning raga with characteristic oscillation on komal Re and Dha.
Reading the swaras
S R G M P D N are shuddha notes, r g d n are komal notes, and M^ is tivra Ma. ↑ marks the upper octave and ↓ the lower; unmarked notes are in the middle octave. — continues the previous sound, · marks an unsung position, and parentheses indicate grace notes.
Overview
Bhairav is the classic raga of first light — grave, still and devotional. Its signature is not the note-set alone but the andolan: a slow, deliberate oscillation on komal Re and komal Dha that must be learned by ear. Mastering that oscillation is the heart of singing Bhairav.
Notes and identity
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Thaat | Bhairav |
| Swaras used | komal Re (r), komal Dha (d); rest shuddha |
| Jati | Sampurna–Sampurna |
| Vadi | Dha (d) |
| Samvadi | Re (r) |
| Aroha | S r G M P d N S↑ |
| Avaroha | S↑ N d P M G r S |
| Time | Dawn / early morning |
| Rasa / bhava | Austere, devotional, serious (associated with Shiva) |
Grammar & signature
- The oscillated
r̰andd̰are the raga's soul; approached and left with weight. - Phrases dwell on
G M,d P, and theG M r̰ r̰ Scadence; Ma and Pa give resting points.
Pakad / chalan (illustrative)
These phrases illustrate the treatment described on this page. Phrase shape and emphasis can differ between teachers.
G M r̰ r̰ S,S r̰ G M P d̰ P- The oscillated komal Re (
r̰) and komal Dha (d̰) carry the raga; rest on Ma and Pa.
Phrase examples
- Belongs:
S r̰ G M,P d̰ P,d̰ N S↑,G M r̰ r̰ S. - Avoid / careful: a plain, unoscillated komal Re/Dha flattens Bhairav into a scale — the andolan is the raga.
- Common learner errors: singing Re/Dha straight (no andolan); giving the oscillated notes too little weight.
Allied ragas & differentiation
- Ahir Bhairav, Kalingda, Nat Bhairav and the wider Bhairav family — a rich set to distinguish; Bhairav's defining andolan sets the reference.
Related music
- Talas: Ektal, Teental. Form: Khayal; also dhrupad.
- Concepts: andolan, komal swar — see Komal · Andolan.
Compositions
- Anat kaha jin jaavo piya
- Bhairav lachchhan gaay gunivar
- Bhairav sargam
- Bina Hari kaun khabar mori let
- Dhaivat komal kar
- Dhan dhan murat Krishna Murari
- Gangadhar Trinayan Sulpani
- Guru naatha saban ke nit sumare man jivit chhin bhangur
- Jaago mohan pyaare
- Mehar ki najar kije
- Piya milan kon baari ari
- Prabhu daata saban ke
- Pyaala mujh bhar de re matavaare more
- Saadho bidyaadhar gun nidhaan gunadaata
- Sab mili gaavo bajaavo mirdang
- Samb Sadashiv Bhola pyaare
- Tu ab yaad kar re bande apne Allah ko
A combining mark below a note, as in r̰, g̰ or d̰, indicates andolan (oscillation around the note), not another pitch or beat.