ORIGIN
Bhairav raga is an ancient raga that is considered to be extremely old and originated many centuries ago. The origin of Bhairav raga is disputed. According to some musicians, Bhairav raga was the first raga that originated from the mouth of Lord Shiva. While some musicians argue that Bhairav raga originated from the mouth of Lord Surya.
STRUCTURE
Bhairav is grave in mood and suggests seriousness, introversion as well as devotional attitude. It shares its notes with Ahir Bhairav which has a sombre temperament
.Arohana:Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha NiSa\'/Sa Ga Ma Dha Ni Sa\'
Avarohana: Sa\'Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Re Sa
Vadi: Dha
Samavadi: Re
Pakad: Ga Ma Dha Dha Pa, Ga Ma Re Re Sa
Chalan: Sa Ga Ma Pa Dha Dha Pa Ma Ga Ma Re Sa
Behavior
The performance for this raga is solemnly serious. The raga comes across as a musical entity with a mood of meditation, philosophical depth, and emotional richness.
Samay(time)
Bhairav is an early morning(pratham prahar)raag.
Seasonality
Bhairav is one of few ragas that can be sung in any season.
Rasa
Bhairav is typically performed with a peaceful, serious, and serene mood.
Ragas of the Bhairav that make use of Komal Rishabh and Komal Dhaivat. Bhairava is one of the names of Shiva especially in his powerful form as a naked ascetic with matted locks and body smeared with ashes. The ragas too have some of these masculine and ascetic attributes in its form and compositions. The Bhairav raga itself is extremely vast and allows a huge number of note combinations and a great range of emotional qualities from valour to peace. There are many variations based on it including (but not restricted to)AhirBhairav, Alam Bhairav, Anand Bhairav, Bairagi Bhairav, Beehad Bhairav, Bhavmat Bhairav, Devata Bhairav, Gauri Bhairav, Nat Bhairav, Shivmat Bhairav.
RagasbelongingtotheBhairavthaatinclude:
- BasantMukhari
- BhairavBahar
- Bhairav
- Bibhas
- Ramkali
- Gunkali
- Jogiya
- Zeelaf
- Saurashtra Bhairav
- Bangal Bhairav
- Komal Bhairav
- Mangal Bhairav
- Ahir Bhairav
- Alam Bhairav
- Anand Bhairav
- Bairagi Bhairav
- BeehadBhairav
- Kaushi Bhairav
- Bhavmat Bhairav
- Devata Bhairav
- Gauri Bhairav
- Nat Bhairav
- Shivmat Bhairav
- Bhatiyari Bhairav
- Virat Bhairav
- KabiriBhairav
- PrabhatBhairav
- Roopkali
- Bakula Bhairav
- Hussaini Bhairav