Janya raga · child of melakarta 15, Mayamalavagowla
Bauli
बौली
Bauli is a janya (child) raga born from Mayamalavagowla, the 15th melakarta. It is audava (pentatonic) in ascent, classified audava-shadava, and known in Hindustani music as Bibhas. It carries a mood of Shanta: stillness; the air barely moves.
Bauliबौली
A serene daybreak raga; no madhyama at all, and Ni only on the way down.
Drops M1 from Mayamalavagowla. Hindustani cousin: Bibhas.
Arohanam and avarohanam
Bauli climbs and falls along these paths:
| Arohanam (up) | S R1 G3 P D1 S' |
|---|---|
| Avarohanam (down) | S' N3 D1 P G3 R1 S |
| Notes | 5 ascending, 6 descending (audava-shadava) |
| Hindustani sargam | S r G P d N |
A serene daybreak raga; no madhyama at all, and Ni only on the way down.
The notes of Bauli, as Western intervals
| Swara | Interval above Sa |
|---|---|
| S | unison (1) |
| R1 | minor second (m2) |
| G3 | major third (M3) |
| P | perfect fifth (P5) |
| D1 | minor sixth (m6) |
| N3 | major seventh (M7) |
See how every swara becomes an interval in melakarta and Western music.
Songs to learn in Bauli
Bauli is explored most in alapana and improvisation. Sing its arohanam and avarohanam slowly over a tanpura to feel its path, and open it in the parent raga’s guide.
The parent: Mayamalavagowla
Bauli keeps the tuning of its parent Mayamalavagowla but walks its own road. To see the full seven-note scale it is drawn from, its chords and its other children, read the Mayamalavagowla guide, or learn how janya ragas work in general.
Questions about Bauli
What is the Bauli raga?
Bauli is a janya (derived) raga of the 15th melakarta, Mayamalavagowla. Its arohanam is S R1 G3 P D1 S' and its avarohanam is S' N3 D1 P G3 R1 S.
What are the arohanam and avarohanam of Bauli?
Arohanam (ascending): S R1 G3 P D1 S'. Avarohanam (descending): S' N3 D1 P G3 R1 S.
What is Bauli in Western or Hindustani music?
Its Hindustani counterpart is Bibhas.