Bairagi Bhairav

A.K.A. Bairagi, or Vairagi

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. 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.