About Raga: Shivmat-Bhairav, Raga: Poorvi
Raga: Shivmat-Bhairav, Raga: Poorvi is a studio recording by Indian classical vocalist and composer C.R. Vyas. The release features two extended raga performances in the Hindustani classical tradition. The album presents Vyas as the sole performer, accompanied by traditional instrumental support, though specific accompanying artists remain undocumented in available sources.
Vyas released the album in an unspecified year under an unknown label. The format appears to be a physical or digital album, though the exact medium (LP, cassette, CD, or digital) is not confirmed. The recording captures two distinct ragas: Shivmat-Bhairav and Poorvi. Each track represents a full raga alap-jor-jhala exposition followed by a composed bandish (composition) in vilambit (slow) and drut (fast) tempos.
The first track, Raga Shivmat-Bhairav, belongs to the Bhairav thaat and is traditionally performed in the early morning. Vyas renders the raga with emphasis on the komal re (flattened second) and komal dha (flattened sixth), adhering to its characteristic solemn and meditative mood. The second track, Raga Poorvi, derives from the Poorvi thaat and features the shuddha re (natural second) and komal dha. This raga is often associated with late evening performances and conveys a blend of devotion and pathos.
The album exemplifies Vyas’s approach to dhrupad and khyal gayaki, though the precise style or gharanas (schools) influencing the performances are not explicitly detailed in surviving records. The recording duration for each track is not specified, but both compositions follow the conventional structure of Hindustani classical music, including alap (unmetered improvisation), jor (rhythmic development), and jhala (fast rhythmic passages).
No commercial reissues or remastered editions of this release are documented. The original cover art, liner notes, and production credits—if any—remain unarchived in publicly accessible sources. The album serves as a representative example of mid-20th-century Hindustani vocal music, though its exact reception and historical impact are not widely recorded.