Bihag


Bihag is a Hindustani classical raga belonging to the Bilaval thaat.

Theory

Arohana and Avarohana

Avarohana

Vadi and Samavadi

Samavadi

Pakad or Chalan

Bihag uses both shuddha Ma and teevra Ma.
Both R and D are never used in ascent, but always on the way down. That is,
or

Organization and relationships

Related ragas: Maru Bihag, Bihagra.
Bihag is usually assigned to the Thaat Bilaval, but if Teevra Madhyam is given more importance, Bihag seems to be more akin to Kalyan Thaat.

''Samay'' (Time)

Bihag is played in the second quarter of night. The mood of the raga is celebratory as well as romantic, making it a common raga sung especially on occasions of marriage.

Origins

The origin can be traced back to pure classical ragas widely prevalent in the 16th century, and in many folk songs in the Vaishnava period. It is used in many songs of Tagore and in various Bengali and north Indian compositions.

Recordings

Film

A portion of the alap of Bihag may be seen in a scene from Satyajit Ray's 1958 film Jalsaghar, played by the surbahar player Wahid Khan, from 29:50 to 31:58. Dil cheez kya hai from Umrao Jaan contains elements of Bihag.
The song "Hamare Dil Se Na Jana" from the film Udan Khatola is based on Bihag. The song "Tere Sur Aur Mere Geet" from Goonj Uthi Shehnai is based on Bihag, when shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan appeared in film music.
The song "Malargal Kaettaen" from Oh Kadal Kanmani sung by Chitra and A.R. Rahman is based on Bihag.
The song "Piya Bawari" sung by Asha Bhosle and composed by R.D. Burman from Khubsoorat is based on Bihag.

Film Songs

Language:Tamil">Kaanada language">Tamil

Theatre

In the Kannada Yakshagana play Maatanado mativanta preeta composition of Shahiprabha Parinaya the prasanga is in Behag.