The first ever scale to have appeared in the universe is believed to be that of Raga Bhairav and conventionally the last or concluding Raga in Hindustani classical music is Raga Bhairavi. Raga Bhairav is the musical reflection of the destroyer, the compassionate, Lord Shiva while Raga Bhairavi epitomises Goddess Parvati.
Basant Mukhari is the blend of these two important ragas. In this raga the first half, i.e. S r G M P d is Bhairav and second half i.e. M P d n S is Bhairavi. To keep an ideal balance of both the ragas is very important while performing the raga.
Chandrashekharji is presenting raga Basant Mukhari on the surbahar.
The Surbahar is essentially a bass sitar. It is substantially larger and is tuned considerably lower than a sitar. The surbahar has an advantage over sitar in that it has a longer sustain and an ability to meend up to 6 notes in a single fret. This instrument is very well suited to long slow alaps.
Accompanying Chandrashekharji on the tanpura is Mrudula Katdare. Audio recordist is Shri. Shreyas Dandekar at Pamcham studios Pune. Video is edited by Dr. Sujata Bhat.
