Raag Bilawal (specifically sung as Alhaiya Bilawal today) is one of the foundational raags in Hindustani Classical Music. It corresponds to the major scale (Bilawal Thaat) where all notes used are pure (Shuddh).
While 'Shuddh Bilawal' uses only natural (Shuddh) notes, it is rarely performed today. Musicians perform 'Alhaiya Bilawal', which includes a beautiful, fleeting use of Komal Nishad (flat Ni) during the descent.
1. Aroh (Ascent): Sa, Re, Ga, Pa, Dha, Ni, Sa' (Notice that Madhyam 'Ma' is omitted in the ascent, making it Shadav - 6 notes).
2. Avroh (Descent): Sa', Ni, Dha, Pa, Dha, Ni(Komal), Dha, Pa, Ma, Ga, Ma, Re, Sa (In the descent, all 7 notes are used. A slight touch of Komal Ni (flat Ni) is used in a specific phrase: Dha-Ni(komal)-Dha-Pa, which gives 'Alhaiya' its distinct flavour).
3. Pakad (Catch Phrase): Ga, Re, Ga, Pa, Dha, Ni(Komal), Dha, Pa
Raag Bilawal is often the very first raag taught to beginners because its scale (Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni) matches the natural western major scale (Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Ti). It is excellent for vocal tuning.
Yes! The foundational scale of Bilawal Thaat (Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni) perfectly corresponds to the Western Major Scale (Ionian mode).
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