Raga Ahir Bhairav

Ahir Bhairav is a Hindustani classical raga performed by Kumar Gandharva in a 1970s recording. The artist rendered the composition in a khayal style with a duration of 7 minutes and 41 seconds. The recording captures Gandharva’s interpretation of the raga, which blends the Bhairav thaat with the Ahir folk tradition. The performance emphasizes the komal re (flattened second) and komal dha (flattened sixth), characteristic of the raga’s melodic framework.

The recording format and label remain undocumented in available sources. The track stands as an example of Gandharva’s approach to raga elaboration, where he integrated classical structures with regional folk influences. The composition includes alaap and taan sections, though specific lyrical or rhythmic accompaniment details are not verified. The recording date is approximated to the 1970s based on Gandharva’s active period and stylistic traits evident in the performance.

Ahir Bhairav is traditionally performed in the early morning and is associated with themes of devotion and introspection. Gandharva’s rendition aligns with his broader repertoire, which often explored lesser-known ragas and folk-classical fusions. No additional session musicians or instrumentalists are credited in the available documentation for this recording.