Bhairavi (thaat) explained

Bhairavi is one of the ten basic thaats of Hindustani music from the Indian subcontinent. It is also the name of a raga within this thaat.^[1]

Description

Bhairavi makes use of all the Komal swaras, Rishabh, Gandhar, Dhaivat, Nishad. When singing compositions in Bhairavi raga, the singers however take liberty to use all the 12 swaras. Bhairavi raga is named after the Shakti or feminine aspect of the cosmic life force, which is personified as a consort of Shiva (Bhairava).

Ragas

Ragas in Bhairavi thaat include:

• Bhairavi
• Bilaskhani Todi
• Bhupal Todi
• Kaunsi Kanada
• Komal Rishabh Asavari
• Malkauns

Notes and References

1. Book: Bor . Joep . Rao . Suvarnalata . The Raga Guide: A Survey of 74 Hindustani Ragas . 1999 . Nimbus Records with Rotterdam Conservatory of Music . 9780954397609 . 3 . en.