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Bhairavī

Janya of Naṭabhairavī (20) — bhāṣāṅga raga

Profound, classical-format anchor

✓ Verified against Subbarama Dīkṣitar, Saṅgīta Sampradāya Pradarśinī (1904), vol. 2; iOS KarunattuPro Core/Raga/Ragas (RagaInfo, audited 2026-05-15)· 2026-07-02How we verify

Ārōhaṇa (ascending)

  1. S
  2. R₂
  3. G₂
  4. M₁
  5. P
  6. D₁
  7. N₂

Avarōhaṇa (descending)

  1. N₂
  2. D₂
  3. P
  4. M₁
  5. G₂
  6. R₂
  7. S

Signature phrase

S R₂ G₂ M₁ P D₁ N₂ Ṡ

The pakad (catch-phrase) is the 4-8 svara motif that defines this raga's identity. Internalise this phrase first — it's what your ear reaches for when the raga returns to its home base.

Rāga grammar

Vādi (king svara)
D₁
Samvādi (queen svara)
G₂
Jīva (life-giving)
G₂ D₁ N₂
Nyāsa (resting)
S G₂ P
Graha (phrase-starting)
S G₂ P

When to play

The conclusion of every long recital. Symbolic of life's completion — 'resignation, devotion, and ultimate surrender of possessions'. The carnatic Madhyamāvati is also used as the closing kriti.

Time: Conventionally early-morning (per Hindustani samay), but Carnatic uses it at any time as the closing raga.Rasa: Śānta (peace), bhakti, vairagya (detachment).Position: closing

Gamaka signature

Komal (flat) versions of R, G, D, Ni are the defining sound. The pakkad is Dha Ni Sa. Musicians intersperse vivadi swara (grace notes) judiciously to embellish without disturbing the raga-dharma.

Historical context

An ancient rāga — at least 1,500 years old per Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. The Hindustani thaat 'Bhairavi' contains all 12 swarasthanas. Used for drupad, tarana, tappa, thumri in the North. In Carnatic, it's the universal benediction.

Key compositions to hear first

  • Upacāramu Jēsevaru — Tyāgarāja
  • Bhairavi Varnam — Veṇṇērla Veṅkaṭarāmayya
  • Marivērē Gāna — Tyāgarāja

Listen to Bhairavī

Arōhaṇa-avarōhaṇa exposition with tampura drone.

Kṛtis in this rāga· 14 entries across 7 composers

Tip: open the raga × composer cross-search on /composers to explore any other raga.

Sangeet Parijat — Ahobala's notes

Graha (opening)
Sa
Aṁśa (king svara)
Sa
Nyāsa (rest svara)
Sa
Time
All times
Gīti
Gauḍī
Gamaka
andolan

An all-time raga in Parijat — modern morning convention is later. Use heavy andolan on Re and Dha.

Compose in this ragaPractice this raga

Similar ragas

Top 5 by mūrchhanā + aṁśa + nyāsa + graha + gītī overlap. Match score shown.

Bhairavī — Karunattu