Rag Bilawal(Sankarabharanam) C-major

AN ARTCLE ON RAAG BILAVAL

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Bilawal occupies a pre eminent place in Indian music. This rag has its echo in almost every system of music.The corresponding raga in karnatak music is Dheera sankarabharanam.In Western music,the parallel is found in the C major scale.Approximate equivalent in other systems are the Lydic(Greek),the Ionion(Eccliciastical)and the Mesia(Arabic)

The major characteristic of this raga is the even and equal spacing between the swra-s.accordingly it has a perfectly symmetrical pair of tetra chords,that is raga`s purvaanga(sa-re.ga-ma)and the uttaranga(pa-da-ni sa) and are uniform and match perfectly.This characteristic makes it possible to give fluent and felicitous expression to it,whether the means used is the voice or an instrument.this is another reason for it`s popularity.

Bilawal has been utilized for every conceivable type of composition.Bcause of its three octave potential and because of it`s capable of evoking different rasa-s it has been popular with composers of operas and dance dramas.

Not surprisigly Bilawal as well as its parallels in karnatic music and also western music systems, has been a hppy hunting ground for all important composers like Surda,Tulasi das, Thyaga raja,Bach Bethoven Mozart and many others.

In both Hidusthani music and western music systems,the basic notes with which the elementary lessons in music are the swaras of Bilawal and the c-major scale.,respectively.

Films have not been far behind in using the raga(scale) and movie music directors have sourced Bilawal and it`s parallel scales karnatic and western music.

`Do-Re-Mi-doe a deer a female deer 'from the film Sound of music and

famous singer Doris day `s Que sera sera(whatever will be will be) in the Hitch cock`s film`` The man who knew too much’’ composed in C-major have become all time favorites.

Among the songs from Hindi films composed in ``Bilawal’’,`

` Sa-re ko sa-re ga-ma ko lekar gaatein chalein ‘’from the film`` Parichay’’ can be quoted as a best example.It is only`one of it`s kind in Hindi films where lyric and music are synchronized.

`` Ye chandki raat,ye raat hasin’’ from the film ``Anadi,’’

``Ai dil mushkil jeena yaha’’ from the film``C.I.D’’,`

`Miti miti batonse’’ from the film``Khaidi no.1

are some more songs composed in this raaga

The most promoinent example in South Indian film music composed in Sakarabharanam karnatic parallel of this raga is` Omkara naada anusandhanamau gaaname' from the film` Sankarabharanam',which is an altime film hit.

Another popular song composed in this raga is ``Sundari neeventi divya swarupamu’’ from the film ``Maaya bazar’’

Johann Sebastian Bach`s cello suit no.3,W.A..Mozart`s symphony 41,Piano concert 21  can be quoted as some of the best western classical compositions.