Raga nat bhairav

Raga Nat Bhairav is a recorded performance of the morning raga Nat Bhairav by sitarist and multi-instrumentalist Baluji Shrivastav. The track appears as the opening piece on the album Music for Mughal India, released on January 1, 2012 by the British Library under its audio publication division. The album was issued in CD format as part of the institution’s series on historical and traditional music.

The composition spans 15 minutes and 54 seconds and adheres to the structural conventions of the Nat Bhairav raga, a variant of Bhairav characterized by the use of komal re (flattened second) and komal dha (flattened sixth) in ascent, with additional embellishments in descent. Shrivastav performs on the sitar, accompanied by an unspecified ensemble of traditional instruments, though detailed personnel credits for the recording remain undocumented in available sources. The album’s liner notes position the work within the broader context of Mughal-era court music, reflecting the synthesis of Hindustani classical traditions with Persian influences.

Music for Mughal India compiles field recordings and studio performances curated by the British Library’s sound archive. The release emphasizes historical authenticity, with selections drawn from both archival materials and contemporary interpretations by artists such as Shrivastav. No commercial label outside the British Library is associated with the production. The tracklist order places Raga Nat Bhairav as the first of the album’s entries, though the total number of tracks and full runtime are not specified in the provided context.

The recording captures Shrivastav’s approach to alap, jor, and jhala sections, followed by a rhythmic exposition in madhyalaya (medium tempo). The performance omits vocal accompaniment, focusing on instrumental rendition. Further details regarding the recording location, session date, or additional contributing musicians are not publicly verified. The British Library’s catalog classifies the album under ethnomusicological and historical recordings, targeting academic and cultural preservation audiences.