Charan dhar aayo

Piya to maanat naahi

Voice: Pt. Bhimsen Joshi
Format: Thumri
Raag: Mishra Kaafi
__________________________________________________________________________________________

If I had to choose only one piece by Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, it would be this. He sings it with so much feeling and with so much understanding. I love the quietness in his voice. It creates the mood but doesn’t intrude into one’s thoughts. One could silently sit by the window, in the evening, and think while he sings in the background and one would feel calmed by it.

The piece is based on raag Kaafi or more accurately on raag Mishra Kaafi, which is nearly the same as Kaafi. It bears distinct resemblance to Kala Ramnath's thumri in raag Kaafi that I posted earlier. Both seem to be evoking the same image of someone trying to pacify their lover. One’s despondence over lost love is beautifully portrayed by the notes of the raag. I had always heard more colourful renditions in the raag; songs of holi, songs of love; but these are quieter, melancholic pieces. I would now love to explore more shades of raag kaafi and see how the same set of swaras can create such myriad moods and melodies.

Here is a beautiful article which talks about raag Kaafi and its Carnatic counterpart, Kapi, and many shades and variations of the raag: ‘The many flavours of Kapi’ 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Lyrics:

Ho… Piya…

Ab to piya to maanat naahi…
Kaun unan se manware…

Ho re… aiso nithur harjaai…
Preet purani jaanat naahi

Ab kaun unan se manware
PIya to maanat naahi…
__________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Translation:

Oh my love…

My love doesn’t heed me
Who shall pacify him...

So hard-hearted he has become...
He doesn’t remember our old love

Now who shall pacify him
My love doesn’t heed me...

Jo bhaje hari ko sada

Composition: Brahmanand
Voice: Pt. Bhimsen Joshi
Composition Format: Bhajan
Raag: Bhairavi
_______________________________________________________________________________________

This is a popular piece in Raag Bhairavi by the maestro, Pt. Bhimsen Joshi. I really love it, and, not just any version, but this particular version that I have posted. 

I tried other versions available online but didn't like any of them. In this version, the singer doesn't experiment too much with the techniques. He sings it in a very simple, serious, matter-of-fact manner, with only as much technique as required. Only the slightest hint of a mridanga and tanpura are heard as accompaniments. It is thus able to draw one into the bhajan, to get lost in its smoky serenity and smell the essence of what the words are trying to convey. I feel spiritually elated hearing this.

I am not sure who wrote this bhajan. The name Brahmanand is mentioned in the laste verse and so I assume it is some poet or saint by that name who wrote it. _______________________________________________________________________________________

Jo bhaje hari ko sada
So hi param pad paayega
So hi param pad paayega

Deh ke maala, tilak aur chaap
Nahi kisi kaam ke
Prem bhakti ke bina
Nahi nath ke man bhayega

Chor duniya ke maze sab
Baith kar ekant me
Dhyan dhar hari ke charan ka
Phir janm nahi aayega

Drind bharosa man me kar ke
Jo jape hari naam ko
Kehta hai brahmanand
Bichch me samayega

Jo bhaje hari ko sada
So hi param pad paayega
So hi param pad paayega
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Translation:

One who always thinks of the lord
He alone will attain the highest order

For the body, ornaments
Are of no use
Without love and prayer
You will not please the lord

Renounce all worldly pleasures
Sit in solitude
Meditate upon the lord’s feet
Then you will not be born again

With the heart firmly faithful
One who takes the lord’s name
Says Brahmanand
He will find salvation

One who always thinks of the lord
He alone will attain the highest order
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Reference for Lyrics: http://www.bhajanganga.com/bhajan/lyrics/id/51/title/jo-bhaje-hari-ko-sada-sohi-param-pad-paavega