Raag Bhairavi (Thumri) (Benarasi style in Addha Taal)

A Soul of Benares is a studio album released under the Benarasi classical tradition. The label Bihaan Music published the recording in 2013. The album features performances by Shivnath Mishra, Deobrat Mishra and Prashant Mishra, representing the instrumental and vocal heritage of Varanasi.

The third track of the album is Raag Bhairavi (Thumri), rendered in the Benarasi style and set to Addha Taal. The composition spans 12 minutes and 42 seconds. The artists employ traditional thumri phrasing with improvisational elements characteristic of the genre. The recording emphasizes the emotive and lyrical qualities associated with Bhairavi, a raga often performed in the early morning or as a concert finale.

Shivnath Mishra contributes sitar accompaniment, while Deobrat Mishra provides vocal rendition. Prashant Mishra supports on tabla, maintaining the rhythmic framework of Addha Taal. The track exemplifies the collaborative interplay between instrumental and vocal components in the Benarasi thumri tradition. No additional details about the album’s production, session musicians or recording location are publicly documented.

The album A Soul of Benares focuses on preserving and presenting the classical music of Varanasi through both traditional and contemporary arrangements. Bihaan Music, the releasing label, specializes in North Indian classical and semi-classical genres. The 2013 release aligns with the label’s objective of promoting regional artistic lineages.