Gharana tradition : Jaipur

The Jaipur Gharana (also known as the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana) is a Khayal based Gharana, founded by Ustad Alladiya Khan (1855-1946) in the late 19th century. An offshoot of the Agra Gharana, the Jaipur Gharana acquired its name and status as a Gharana in the early half of the 20th century as a result of the growing popularity of stalwarts of this Gharana like Kesarbai Kerkar, Mogubai Kurdikar, Mallikarjun Mansur and Kishori Amonkar.

The Gharana is unique in that it was the first Gharana to be founded in Khayal Gayaki, whereas other major Gharanas were initially founded as Dhrupad-Dhamar Gayakis and eventually evolved into the Khayal Gayaki. The founder of this Gharana, Ustad Alladiya Khan initially developed the unique Gayaki of this Gharana following the partial loss of his voice which prompted him to develop an adjusted singing style to accommodate this handicap. As a result of his exploration, he raised the level of musical and vocal artistry to such heights that he was acclaimed as the ‘High Priest of Khayal Gayaki’.

Mallikarjun Mansur – Deshkar – Hu To Tore Karan Jagi :  Download

Kishori Amonkar – Bhairavi – Koyaliya Na Bolo Dar :  Download

Ulhas Kashalkar – Lalit Pancham – Udat Boondan :  Download

Shruti Sadolikar – Bhairavi – Bajuband Khul Khul Jai :  Download

Renowned names of Jaipur Gharana include Jitendra Abhisheki, Padmavati Shaligram, Manik Bhide, Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, Manjiri Asanare and many more, besides the artists mentioned at the beginning of this post. As is usual with most Gharanas, the list is long.

.. more songs of other Gharanas »

indianraga

Ja Kaga Ja : Go Crow Go

In India, the common house crow (kaga or kagwa in hindi) is a widespread resident, except in high altitudes and dense forests. It is wholly dependent on human habitation for it’s survival. This highly vocal bird is seemingly unafraid of humans. Aggressive, it will attack and chase off any large bird of prey. Strangely, the crow has been given a place of pride in our classical music. For reasons unknown it has played the role of a lover’s messenger (“Ja Kaga Ja“), which in many a lyrical khayals, is even promised a ‘gold plated beak’ in return of favours rendered (“Ab Ke Sawan Ghar Aaja“). Pigeons, the otherwise commonly known messenger birds, have been given a back seat here.

Vilayat Hussain Khan – Raga Bageshri Bahar :  (Download)

Bade Ghulam Ali Khan – Raga Desi :  (Download)

Begum Akhtar – Raga Pahadi :  (Download)

Pandit Jasraj – Raga Bilaskhani Todi :  (Download)

Shruti Sadolikar – Raga Desi :  (Download)

Parween Sultana – Raga Pahadi :  (Download)

Almost all vocalists have pleaded with this glossy black bird to pass on a message, in all Ragas possible, Raga Desi, Bageshri and Pahadi being the more common ones, although other Ragas are not being discounted.

Comments are welcome.

indianraga

Songs of the Divas 3

Once again, here are a few songs from four of the finest hindustani classical music divas of our time :

Lakshmi Shankar – Na Jao Sainya Pardes :  (Download)

Padma Talwalkar – Ka Karoon Sajni :  (Download)

Parween Sultana – Ja Ja Re Kagawa :  (Download)

Shruti Sadolikar – Sakhi Boond Achanak Laagi :  (Download)

.. more Songs of the Divas »

Point to ponder : When a male musician is Muslim he is an Ustad, if Hindu he is a Pandit. Ever wondered why such titles are not conferred to women classical artists ?

Comments are welcome.

indianraga