Bhairav – The Aaadi- Anant Raag .. ( भैरव आदि-अनंत राग )

“Maha-Shiv Raatri” (महाशिवरात्री) is a festival celebrating the union of Lord Shiv and Parvati. It is supposed to be the darkest night of the year. It is believed that the Earth came into existence on this day with a big bang ! 

This also is the point of change of season from spring to early summer. The day is celebrated with fasting, savoring some special kind of foods .. typically with delicacies like "Sabudana Khichadi" , Cucumber, sweet yogurt, sugar cane juice and Wood apple, known as Kavath ( कवठ) in Marathi language. Along with the sweet delicacies (that help in reducing the stress of the change in season )  its a tradition to savor some Bhaang (भांग) aka Cannabis , in a special preparation called Thandaai (थंडाई ) !!  This is a special night for people who have dedicated their lives on spiritual paths. The festival has a special meaning for Shaivaites – the devotees of lord Shiva. 

All night, people celebrate with music , worshiping lord Shiv and Parvati. That brings us to the main title and motivation behind writing this blog post. Raag Bhairav is believed to be the Primordial Sound .. divine and infinite. It represents Lord Shiva in musical form. As per Ut Vilayat Khan , all the “male” raags are essentially types of Bhairavs , namely.. Hindol, Megh, Malkauns, Shree and Shankara. Bhairav is thus a Primordial sound , root of all the male raags in Hindustani Classical music  .. divine and infinite !  भैरव आदी-अनंत राग 

Two must read posts regarding Raag Bhairav and Raag Shankara that I like and are kind of primer to understanding and appreciating the "Bhairav raagaang" , the subtle variations that give rise to different raags and the basic structure of Raag Shankara are by Rajan Parrikar. The go to guy for understanding the nuances and aesthetics of Indian Classical Music ! 

Here are the links :

Bhairav - The primordial sound

Shankara - Lord of Raags

 

I am going to enjoy all night with Hindustani Classical music -Raagdari, especially all types of Bhairavs and Shankara !

सिर पे धरी गंगा , कमर मृग छल
मुंडकि गला माला, हथेली सूल सजे
पिनाकी महाज्ञानी , अजब रूप धारे
डुलत डुलत आवे , डिमरू डिम बजे

अनाहत आदि नाद , भेद न पायो ! 

हर हर महादेव .. देवन के देव , जय भोलेनाथ .. आदि अनंत के नाथ !

Vibhaas .. a melody signifying pervasiveness of the Almighty Creator

The intensity of raag Vibhaas (Bibhaas) is overpowering. It has the power and a feel of enlightenment. Connoisseurs of classical music and even a general audience of light music has experienced this mood through the bandishes or songs. ( विभास , Vibhas , Vibhaas : literally refers to light or decoration )
 The trademark song based on  raag Vibhaas is from film Utsav, Saanjh Dhale Gagan tale (सांझ ढले गगन तले , हम कितने एकाकी  ).

This type of Vibhaas is an example of "Marwa thaat Vibhaas" that brings out intense emotions. Here is a rendering of Marva thaat Vibhaas by the GaanSaraswati.
                      


One more appealing variant of Vibhaas is called "Bhairav Thaat Vibhaas" that depicts more of enlightenment ,pondering and an intense feel of belonging to nature and universe in general.
The grandiose of Bhairav is such that it is sometimes labelled as the primordial sound of Universe ..The first big bang .. the first set of melody .. the begining .. ( Here is my related post Bhairav- The Aadi Anant Raag )

In my musings on music , I realize that the melodies of Vibhaas are the worldly equivalent of the "Universal Bhairav".. appeals emotionally to human mind and soul more than the Brain !

The one song that is dear to me , based on the melody of  "Bhairav Thaat Vibhaas", is by the poet Sudhir Moghe in Marathi ; sung by Chandrashekhar Gadgil and composed by Bal Karve.
The poet describes the nature in its full bloom and seasons, as it appeals to an exploring mind. In a state of enlightenment , the poet confirms that all the seasons with their dramatic changes in nature, signify the presence and pervasiveness of "Almighty- Anadi Anant" ..  the Creator !

 


अरुपास पाहे रूपी
तोच भाग्यवंत
निसर्गात भरून राहे
अनादी अनंत

कधी पावसाच्या धारा
भणाणता केव्हा वारा
पहाटे होऊन तारा
हसे रुपवंत

ग्रीष्म रक्त तापविणारा
शिशिर आग गोठविणारा
मनोगते मेळविणारा
फुलारी वसंत

कुशीमध्ये त्याच्या जावे
मिठीमधे त्याला घ्यावे
शाश्वतात विरून जावे
सर्व नाशवंत

In a side thought : The song "Tya fulanchya gandhkoshi" by poet Suryakant Khandekar too emits similar thought where poet has just started pondering on the the thought but is not yet enlightenend ...composed and sung by Pt Hridaynath Mangeshkar

त्या फुलांच्या गंधकोषी, सांग तू आहेस का?
त्या प्रकाशी तारकांच्या, ओतिसी तू तेज का?
त्या नभांच्या नीलरंगी होऊनिया गीत का?
गात वायूच्या स्वरांने, सांग तू आहेस का?

मानवाच्या अंतरीचा प्राण तू आहेस का?
वादळाच्या सागराचे घोर ते तू रुप का?
जीवनी या वर्षणारा तू कृपेचा मेघ का?
आसमंती नाचणारी, तू विजेची रेघ का?

जीवनी संजीवनी तू, माऊलीचे दूध का?
कष्टणार्या बांधवांच्या रंगसी नेत्रात का?
मूर्त तू मानव्य का रे, बालकांचे हास्य का?
या इथे अन त्या तिथे रे, सांग तू आहेस का?

To me , Vibhaas has always appealed as a deep morning thought , an enlightenment that makes one explore and persist inspite of all the tribulations .. it has that perfect blend of grandiose , poise and thoughtfulness of primordial Bhairav along with the pensive touch of Marwa. The Yang and Yin of life !