Ahir Bhairav is a raag from Hindustani Classical Music and thought to be a mixture of Bhairav and rare ancient raag Ahiri or perhaps a mixture of Bhairav and Kafi.
Raag Ahir Bhairav is a morning raag. This raag is different from Bhairav raag.
The word Ahir refers to a caste of cowherds, milkers, and cattle breeders widely dispersed across the Gangetic Plain.As per music pandits, tinkling of the cow’s bells early in the morning used by the Ahirs is the inspiration behind the creation of this raag.
Among all the morning raags, Ahir Bhairav occupies a unique place. In this raag, we can notice a pleasing blend of Raag Bhairav in Poorvang and Raag Kafi in Uttarang.When we sing chalan of this raag, it sounds like Raag Bhairav in Poorvang. While in Uttarang the oscillation of Dhaivat is skipped.
This raag can be expanded in all three octaves. It creates an atmosphere full of Bhakti Ras and most of the Bhajans are based on this raag.The mood that this raag created in the morning is beyond imagination. The feelings of (autumn season) reflect beautifully here. The blend of emotions that this offers leads to becoming very adaptable.
As per Dr. Madhvi Mohindra a Ph.D. in music therapy, this raag is well known for it’s calming and relaxing effects.
Also Read : How to do effective riyaz at home with/without instrument
- Thaat : Bhairav
- Jaati : Sampurna-Sampurna
- Vadi Swara : Ma
- Samvaadi Swara : Sa
- Samay ( Time ) : 1st prahar of the Day (6 am to 9 am)
- Komal Swara(k) : Re , Ni
Raag Structure : Aaroh , Avroh and Pakad
Ahir Bhairav Raag Aalaap and Bandish
Aalap :
- Sa, ni(k) Sa dha ni(k) Re(k), Sa |
- Re(k) ni(k) dha pa, pa dha ni(k) Re(k) Sa, Sa Re(k) Ga Ma, Re(k) Sa |
- Sa Re(k) Ga Ma Pa Ma, Pa Ga Ma Re(k) ni(k) dha ni(k) Re(k) Sa |
- Ga Ma Pa, Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni(k) Dha Ma Ga, Ga Ma Ma Pa, Pa Dha Ma Pa Ga, Ma Re(k) Re(k) Sa |
- Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni(k) Ni(k) Dha Pa Ma, Ma Pa Dha Ni(k) Ni(k) SA, Dha Ni(k) Re(k) SA, SA Ni(k) Dha Pa Ma , Ga Ma Ma Pa Pa Dha Ni(k) Re(k) SA |
- Ni(k) SA Dha Ni(k) RE(k) SA, SA RE(k) GA, GA MA RE(k) RE(k) SA, SA Ni(k) Dha Ni(k) RE(k) SA, SA Ni(k) Dha Pa Ma, Pa Ga Ma Pa Dha Pa Ma Pa Ga, Ma Re(k), Re(k) Sa, ni(k) Sa dha ni(k) Sa
