भिंपलस्

Raag Bhimplas is a complete scale with all 7 notes in both ascent and descent raga in the Carnatic classical music tradition.. With its Sampurna-Sampurna jati structure, this raag creates a distinctive tonal landscape. The predominant rasa is Peace/Tranquility (शांत), making it suitable for compositions that evoke peaceful, meditative emotions. It is traditionally performed during evening hours, and its melodic contour offers rich possibilities for alapana, kalpanaswaram, and creative improvisation.

As part of the rich tapestry of Indian classical music, Raag Bhimplas represents the deep connection between melodic structure and emotional expression that defines the Carnatic tradition.

Raag Bhimpalasi (also spelled Bhimplas or Bhim Palasi) is one of the most beloved afternoon ragas of the Hindustani classical tradition. It belongs to the Kafi thaat and uses komal Gandhar and komal Nishad in both ascent and descent, with all other notes in their shuddha (natural) form. The arohana omits Re and Dha in the ascending movement — Sa Ga(k) Ma Pa Ni(k) Sa — while the avarohana is a fuller descent: Sa Ni(k) Dha Pa Ma Ga(k) Re Sa.

In the Carnatic system, the equivalent raag is Abheri (also known as Abhiri), a widely performed janya of melakarta Kharaharapriya (#22, Chakra 4 – Veda). Bhimpalasi is traditionally prescribed for the afternoon hours (roughly 3–5 PM), when its contemplative, yearning quality (shringara-viyoga and karuna rasa) is said to be most fully expressed.

The raag's name is popularly associated with Pandit Bhimsen Joshi (1922–2011), the towering Kirana gharana vocalist who made it his signature raag. However, the name appears in pre-20th-century literature as well, suggesting the raag predates him. Some musicologists link "Palasi" to a village or region; others interpret it as a garland of Bhima (the Mahabharata hero). The raag is documented in Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande's classification in the early 20th century and is a staple of Kirana, Jaipur-Atrauli, and Gwalior gharana performances.