Āhīr Bhairav
Tender and pastoral — Bhairav softened by a folk breeze.
A blend of Bhairav in the lower tetrachord with the komal Ni of Kāfī above. The result is warmer and more melodic than Bhairav proper, and it sits comfortably in light-classical and film idioms as well.
Ārohaṇa, Avarohaṇa & Pakaḍ
Notation key — komal swaras in lower case, tīvra Ma written M′, mandra saptak marked ˌ and tār saptak with ′.
How the Rāga Moves
The komal Re of the pūrvāṅg is oscillated as in Bhairav; from Ma upwards the rāga turns bright with śuddha Dha and komal Ni. Ma is the note of rest and the vādi.
Rhythmic Cycles Used
Albelā sajan āyo re
X = sam · 0 = khālī · 2, 3, 4 = tālī · one cell = one mātrā · – = sustain.
Widely taught as a first Āhīr Bhairav composition. Keep the antarā's upper Sa approached through komal Ni — that turn is the whole character of the rāga.