Bhimsen– A Raga created by Mahesh Mahadev
Bhimsen is a raag created by Mahesh Mahadev in Hindustani & Carntaic music (musical scale of North Indian classical music). It is a derived scale from the Kokilapriya of 72 Melakartha of Carnatic music .Bhimsen is a janya scale which does not have all the seven swaras (musical notes) in the ascending scale. Rāg Bhimsen is dedicated and named after Mia Tansen (SEN) and ‘Bharat Ratna’ Pandit Bhimsen Joshi (BHIM).
Mahesh Mahadev has penned lyrics in Hindi language and composed 2 Bandishes ‘Giridhar Gopal Shyam’ in Vilambit, Madhya Laya Roopak Taal. Another bandish ‘Man ke Mandir Ayore’ in Drut, Teen Taal. Hindustani Vocalist Pt. Jayateerth Mevundi has lent his voice for these Bandishes.
Mahesh Mahadev has also composed Meera Bhajan in this raga ‘Shyam Bin Man Mohana’ which is rendered by Priyadarshini.
Structure and Lakshana
In HINDUSTANI MUSIC
Bhimsen is audav-sampurn in its nature. i.e., in its arohana (ascent) only five notes are used, whereas the avarohana (descent) uses all the seven notes. This Rag has Komal Gandhar, Shuddh Nishad in Aroh with Komal Rishabh, Shuddh Dhaivat added in the Avaroh.
Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure (ascending and descending scale) is as follows:
- āroh : S G M P N Ṡ
- avaroh : Ṡ N D P M G R S
- Pakad: Ni, Sa, ga, Ma, Pa Dha Pa Ma, Ma ga Re Sa
- The vadi swara is ma, samvadi is sa
In CARNATIC MUSIC
Bhimsen is audava-sampurna in its nature. i.e., in its arohana (ascent) only five notes are used, whereas the avarohana (descent) uses all the seven notes. This Rag has shadja, sadharana gandhara, shuddha madhyama, kakali nishadha in the arohana and shuddha rishabha and chathusruthi dhaivatha notes added in the avarohana of this raga.
Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure (ascending and descending scale) is as follows:
The ascent in this raga is a step by step pentatonic movement which goes like this: Sa, ga, Ma Pa, Ni Sa’
Original compositions
The first and foremost compositions in this raga are:
- Bandish – Giridhar Gopal Shyam, Madhyalay, Roopak Taal sung by Jayateerth Mevundi
- Meera Bhajan – Aayo Man Mohana sung by Priyadarshini
- Bandish – Man ke Mandir Ayore, Drut, Teen Taal
- Marathi Abhang – Pandarichya Raya