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Raga Name: Bhairava

That Name: Bhairava

Aroha: S G m P (N) d* N S’

Avaroha: S’ N S’ (N)d* P m P G m (G)r* S’

Jati: Sadava-Sampurna

Vadi: r

Samvadi: d

Swarupa:  S G m P m P G m d P G m P G m r S

Prahar: 2nd Prahar (6 AM to 9 AM)

 

Raga Information:

It is believed to be the first raga created after forming all of the seven notes. Hence, this raga is also known as adi-raga or the primordial raga. This raga is also very dear to Lord Siva. With so much Vedic history backing this raga, it has become a very difficult raga to sing. It is a morning raga and singing this must represent a devotional atmosphere with some element of pathos included. Many people incorrectly relate the scale of this raga to Egyptian or Mid-Eastern melodies. Those melodies lack many of the important vakra, or zig-zag features, of the raga. In addition, they don’t account for andolans (light shake of the notes) and mīnds (glissandos). As this raga is a difficult one, not many people sing this. Most people sing an easier night version of this raga known as Raga Kalingada.

 

AUDIO CLIP:

Raga Bhairava

 

UPDATED: April 5, 2009

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