Ragmala (Garland of the Raags), part 2 — the eight sons of Bhairao
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Lalat and Bilaaval are sung, each in its own way.
These are the eight sons of Bhairao, sung by skilled musicians.
The family of Bhairao, the first raag in the garland, is complete.
Two of Bhairao's eight smaller tunes, its putar (sons), are named here: Lalat and Bilaaval. Each one has its own sound. They come alive when gaa-in paatar, skilled musicians, sing them.
Bilaaval is a smaller tune here, but it is also a full raag elsewhere in the book. That shows how open and flexible the old music system was. One name could live in more than one place.
Think of a cousin who is part of your family, and also the captain of their own team. Same person, two places. Then the garland moves on to the next family.
Two songs can come from the very same style and still feel completely different. Can you name two that do?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI