Raag Bihag
Vilaval RaaginiVilaval Raagputra
Raag

Raag Bihag

Bilaval Thaat21:00-23:59CelebratoryMarriage

What is Raag Bihag?

Raag Bihag is a melodic framework (raag) in South Asian classical music. It belongs to the Bilaval thaat. Traditionally performed during the 21:00-23:59. It evokes a celebratory mood. Associated with marriage. The vadi (dominant note) is Gandhar vadi and the samvadi is Nikhad. Stream 15 renditions of Raag Bihag on Saarey Music.

This raag is specially sung on occasions of marriage or celebrations

How to recognize Raag Bihag

  1. Identify the parent scale. Raag Bihag belongs to the Bilaval thaat — listening for the characteristic note pattern narrows the field.
  2. Listen for the vadi. The dominant note is Gandhar vadi, with the samvadi Nikhad supporting it. Emphasized in phrases and pauses, especially in the alap.
  3. Note the time of performance. Raag Bihag is traditionally performed during the 21:00-23:59.
  4. Feel the mood. Raag Bihag evokes a celebratory rasa — one of the clearest cues.
  5. Seasonal association. Raag Bihag is associated with marriage.

Renditions in Raag Bihag

Raag Bihag by Akbar Ali Khan

Raag Bihag·

Akbar Ali Khan

00:34:24
Khayal
Raag Bihag by Ustad Ashraf Sharif Khan

Raag Bihag·

Ustad Ashraf Sharif Khan

00:32:00
Khayal
Raag Bihag by Noor Zehra Kazim

Raag Bihag·

Noor Zehra Kazim

00:09:55
Khayal
Raag Bihag by Ustad Naseer uddin Saami

Raag Bihag·

Ustad Naseer uddin Saami

00:45:24
Khayal
Raag Bihag by Sarah Zaman

Raag Bihag·

Sarah Zaman

00:13:09
Khayal
Raag Bihag by Shahida Parveen

Raag Bihag·

Shahida Parveen

00:27:56
Khayal
Raag Bihag (2007) by Noor Zehra Kazim

Raag Bihag (2007)·

Noor Zehra Kazim

00:18:16
Khayal
Raag Bihag by Muslim Shaggan

Raag Bihag·

Muslim Shaggan

00:25:19
Khayal
Raag Bihag by Shahida Parveen

Raag Bihag·

Shahida Parveen

00:24:22
Khayal
Raag Bihag by Ustad Muhammad Hussain Sarahang

Raag Bihag·

Ustad Muhammad Hussain Sarahang

00:22:39
Khayal
Raag Bihag by Ustad Jaffar Hussain Randhawa

Raag Bihag·

Ustad Jaffar Hussain Randhawa

00:18:28
Khayal
Raag Bihag by Shahida Parveen

Raag Bihag·

Shahida Parveen

00:26:34
Khayal
Raag Bihag by Rakae Jamil

Raag Bihag·

Rakae Jamil

00:25:34
Khayal
Raag Bihag by Pandit Milind Chittal

Raag Bihag·

Pandit Milind Chittal

00:05:53
Khayal
Raag Bihag 2013 by Muslim Shaggan

Raag Bihag 2013·

Muslim Shaggan

00:15:07
Khayal

Frequently Asked Questions

Raag Bihag is a melodic framework in South Asian classical music belonging to the Bilaval thaat, traditionally performed during 21:00-23:59. It evokes a celebratory mood. This raag is specially sung on occasions of marriage or celebrations
Yes — Raag Bihag is also written as Behag and Bihaag. These are alternate romanized spellings of the same raag, so whichever spelling you search you'll reach Raag Bihag and its recordings on Saarey Music.
Raag Bihag is traditionally performed during 21:00-23:59. In South Asian classical music, each raag is associated with a specific time of day or night, believed to enhance its emotional impact and resonate with the natural rhythms of that period.
For the most authentic experience, listen to Raag Bihag during 21:00-23:59. South Asian classical music theory holds that each raag resonates most powerfully at its designated time, aligning with the listener's emotional and physiological state during that period. However, great performances of Raag Bihag can be appreciated at any time.
Raag Bihag evokes a celebratory mood. In South Asian classical music, each raag is associated with a specific emotional quality (rasa) that the performer seeks to communicate through melodic phrases and ornamentations. The celebratory character of Raag Bihag is expressed through its particular combination of notes, emphasis patterns, and characteristic phrases (pakad).
Raag Bihag belongs to the Bilaval thaat. A thaat is a parent scale in South Asian classical music from which raags are derived. The Bilaval thaat provides the foundational note set that Bihag elaborates upon with its specific ascending and descending patterns.
The vadi (most important note) of Raag Bihag is Gandhar vadi and the samvadi (second most important note) is Nikhad. The vadi and samvadi are the two dominant notes around which the raag's melodic phrases revolve, giving it its distinctive character.
Raag Bihag is traditionally associated with marriage. Many raags in South Asian classical music are linked to specific seasons, reflecting the deep connection between music, nature, and human emotion in this tradition.

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