Format: Geet/Thumri Raag: Bhairavi Language: Hindi - Brij Bhasha ____________________________________________________________________________________________
I chanced upon this while exploring the music of Monsoon Wedding. The film uses a slightly modernized version of the original composition, the original being at least a century old. It was earlier rendered by Jaidev for the film Gaman and that's the version I really, really love. It has given me many sleepless nights.
The singing by Hira Devi Mishra is seductive and dripping with shringar ras. She doesn't dwell on technique as this is a short piece (a song or a geet) for a film. She rather tries to bring out the original essence and the very rustic flavour of the composition. The poetry romances the luscious eyes of the beloved, urging him to return and entwine the love-sick maid in a warm embrace. She yearns to be held by him, to see him, and to get lost in his enchantingly beautiful eyes.
But more than the singing, I love Jaidev's music. He has taken a traditional thumri, which must have been rendered on a simple harmonium-tabla setting, and he has created a completely original mood and melody for it.
Beginning with the sensuous sound of the sitar, accompanied with a hint of melancholic sarangi, it moves to a beautiful piece on the keyboard. The recurring keyboard piece, along with the tabla, becomes the spine of the composition. It has a certain mystique to it and it seems to be telling a story, the story of the lovers. From this central piece arise the melancholic sarangi and the yearning flute, each drawing out the poignancy of the piece.
I find the music remarkable because I feel that though it is deeply rooted in traditions it is still quite contemporary. It seamlessly blends the rustic musical sensibilities with urban receptivity, like a picture of the countryside made to be exhibitioned at the city gallery, It tones down its garishness, focuses on the pathos, and creates something soft, serene and beautiful.
I don't know who wrote it. It was most probably originally recorded by Gauhar Jaan in 1910. Information on its origins are welcome, as are any other comments and suggestions.
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
Player: Dr N Rajam Composition Format: Thumri Raag: Bhairavi ____________________________________________________________________________________
Continuing my romance with instrumental thumris, here is another exquisite piece by Dr Rajam. The piece is based in raag Bhairavi, which is soon becoming my favourite.
I love the richness of this piece. It makes me feel like I am a courtier in a royal darbar and the music is echoing across the immense hall, and, perhaps, the prince is spellbound by the beauty of the player and the beauty of the music of course.
