Hindustani Music Guide
भैरव
A grave dawn raag with devotional weight and characteristic komal Re and Dha treatment.
Raag Bhairav is widely associated with early morning contemplation and solemnity. Its melodic personality is shaped by the handling of komal Re and komal Dha, often with marked intonational and phrase sensitivity. Performers may vary in emphasis, but the raag is commonly described as austere, devotional, and inward.
This summary is designed as a learner-facing orientation. Interpretive details can vary by source and performance lineage.
Sa Re(k) Ga Ma Pa Dha(k) Ni Sa
Sa Ni Dha(k) Pa Ma Ga Re(k) Sa
Ga Ma Dha(k) Pa, Ma Ga Re(k) Sa
Komal Re and komal Dha are central to the raag's identity.
The andolan-like handling of Re and Dha is often discussed in teaching traditions, though exact treatment varies.
These embeds are included as listening leads. Curated performance choices should be reviewed editorially over time.
Pt. Bhimsen Joshi - Raag Bhairav
Pt. Bhimsen Joshi
A landmark Bhairav performance by the Kirana gharana master.
Ustad Vilayat Khan - Raag Bhairav (Sitar)
Ustad Vilayat Khan
A sitar performance showing Bhairav's instrumental treatment.
Bollywood song to raag mappings can vary by source and interpretation.
Jagte Raho (1956)
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar. Composer: Salil Chowdhury. Often mentioned in discussions of Bhairav or Bhairav-tinged melodic treatment.
Listen on YouTubeBaiju Bawra (1952)
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar. Composer: Naushad. Sometimes cited as touching Bhairav-family scalar contours.
Listen on YouTubeTraditional compositions set in this raag.
Teentaal
Gurudev daya karo, agyan timirandhakaar haaro
Sooltaal
Hari Om tat sat, param pavitra naam
Chautaal
Om anant Hari Narayan, jagat kaaran karunaa nidhi
Rupak
Prabhu mere araj suno, karuna ke sagar ho tum
Teentaal
Sakhi mora balam ghar aaye, rang mahal mein aaj sajaye
Ektaal
Uth jag musafir bhor bhai, ab rain kahan jo sove
Derived from shared thaat, mood, or time-of-day relationships.
बैरागी भैरव
A devotional dawn raag combining Bhairav's komal Re and Dha with an ascetic, renunciate quality.
Thaat: Bhairav
Time: Dawn
जोगिया
A devotional dawn raag from the Bhairav thaat evoking the wandering ascetic and temple atmosphere.
Thaat: Bhairav
Time: Dawn
गुणकली
A sparse early-morning raag from the Bhairav thaat with komal Re and komal Dha, evoking austere dawn stillness.
Thaat: Bhairav
Time: Early Morning