The Music and Musical Instruments of Southern India and the Deccan c9.106

c9.106

The scale of this melody is “Nâta-Bhairavi,” which, as can be seen, corresponds exactly to the ancient Hypodorian mode. The peculiarities of the râga Bhairavi, in which it is composed, admit of E being taken either as ♮ or ♭ at will. Hence this melody, although partaking partly of the nature of a minor key, should be regarded as founded upon the dominant of the major key; and, therefore, if harmonised to preserve its character, written in one flat only, and harmonised with the triad of the dominant as the principal chord. The vibrato upon B♭ is characteristic of the râga, and is never omitted.