Bhimpalasi
An afternoon raga distinguished by its melodic treatment within Kafi thaat.
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
Bhimpalasi is one of the best-loved afternoon ragas — tender, a little wistful. It shares the Kafi thaat's komal Ga and komal Ni, but its aroha omits Re and Dha and leans on Ma and Pa, which gives it a distinct, gliding character. The approach n↓ S M and the g M P climb are signatures.
Notes and identity
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Thaat | Kafi |
| Swaras used | komal Ga (g), komal Ni (n); rest shuddha |
| Jati | Audav–Sampurna (Re & Dha omitted in ascent) |
| Vadi | Ma (M) |
| Samvadi | Sa (S) |
| Aroha | n↓ S g M P n S↑ |
| Avaroha | S↑ n D P M g R S |
| Time | Afternoon (third prahar of day) |
Grammar & signature
- Ascent
n↓ S g M P n S↑(no Re/Dha); descent fullS↑ n D P M g R S. - Ma is the anchor; meend (glides) between notes are characteristic of its sweetness.
Pakad / chalan (illustrative)
These phrases illustrate the treatment described on this page. Phrase shape and emphasis can differ between teachers.
n↓ S M, g M P,M g R S- The mandra-Ni approach
n↓ S Mand theg M Pclimb are the signatures; Ma is the anchor.
Phrase examples
- Belongs:
n↓ S g M P n S↑(audav ascent, no Re/Dha),S↑ n D P M g R S(full descent),g M P. - Avoid / careful: admitting Re or Dha in ascent pushes toward Kafi; over-plain Ma loses the meend-led sweetness.
- Common learner errors: singing shuddha Ga/Ni; using Re/Dha in the climb.
Allied ragas & differentiation
- Kafi & Bageshri — same Kafi thaat and komal g/n; Bhimpalasi is set apart by its audav ascent (no Re/Dha) and Ma-emphasis. The Kafi / Bhimpalasi / Bageshri trio is a good family lesson.
- Dhani, Patdeep — near neighbours.
Related music
- Talas: Teental, vilambit Ektal. Form: Khayal.
- Ragas: Kafi, Bageshri. Concepts: komal swar, jati, meend — see Komal · Jati · Meend.