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Bairagi Bhairav

A.K.A. Bairagi, or Vairagi

by David Courtney working tools

Description

Bairagi Bhairav, (a.k.a. Bairagi, or Vairagi), is a pentatonic rag of the early morning. It was popularised in the 20th century by Ravi Shankar. A very popular film song in this rag is Tere Bina Jiya Na Lage.

Bairagi Bhairav, has an interesting structure. Although it is in Bhairav That, it was derived from the more common Shivaranjani by a murcchana process. For this, one simply takes the intervals of Shivaranjani, but assigns the new Sa to Shivaranjani’s Re. Because of this close association with Shivaranjani, Bairagi Bhairav has a strong feeling of pathos. However many in the Sikh tradition opine that it is also very effective at conveying a mood of devotion (bhakti).

There is some disagreement as to the vadi and samvadi. Some propose that the vadi and samvadi are Sa and Pa respectively (Rao 1985). Others propose that the vadi is Ma and the samvadi is Sa. Still others proposed that the vadi and samvadi are komal Ni and Ma and respectively (Vasant 1962). It is interesting that this last approach reflects an even closer connection to Shivaranjani, as Bairagi Bhairav’s Ma and komal Ni correspond to Shivaranjani’s Pa and Sa respectively.

There are those who propose that Bairagi Bhaiav has a pakad. But as a practical matter, since no other rag shares this modality; a simple adherence to the notes is usually sufficient.



Arohana

Ascending structure for Rag Bairagi Bhairav

(general discussion of arohana)(general discussion of notation)


Avarohana

Descending structure of Rag Bairagi Bhairav

(general discussion of avarohana)


Jati

Audav – (general discussion of jati)


Vadi

Disputed – (general discussion of vadi)


Samvadi

Disputed – (general discussion of samvadi)


Time

6:00am-9:00am – (general discussion of time and rag)


That

Bhairav That – (general discussion of that)


Drone

Sa – Pa – (general discussion of drone)


Popular Songs

Film songs in Rag Bairagi Bhairav



Selected Video