Monsoon Magic!

The on-going, extended ‘Saavan ka mahina’ inspired me to mull over this amazing season, and its influence over so many aspects of our life.

For us Indians, the monsoon plays a major role. Historically we're a country that prides on growing our own indigenous crops and grains. And for a healthy harvest,

the rain Gods have to be benevolent. Did you know that there are special mantras chanted or ‘yagnas’ performed to invoke the rains?

Well, with so much happening around the rains, it is only natural that the 'monsoons' have seeped into every facet of our life....music, khaana, peena….

Monsoon ragas.... 

Garma garam chai.... 

Baarish & pakoras - an 'ek duje ke liye' combo

Saavan ke gaane....

Monsoons, as an inspiration:

Rains have often been a muse to many poets and authors.

It is believed that the monsoons inspired the Sanskrit poet Kalidasa to create the romantic poem ‘Meghadoota’ (the Cloud Messenger). As the story goes, a ‘Yaksha’ who commits a blunder in his daily rituals is banished into exile for a year. Unable to endure the pangs of separation from his wife, he reaches out to a large monsoon cloud, pleading for it to carry a message to his beloved wife.

In more recent times, the magic of the rains have compelled poets such as Gulzar, Shailendra, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Anand Bakshi, Javed Akhtar and many others to also put pen to paper.

Monsoon Music & Moods

Indian classical music is based on the raga system. Since different ragas are known to evoke different emotions, they are rendered during different time cycles and also seasons.

The monsoons have played a major role in helping the yesteryear masters classify music in an altogether separate section.

It is believed that a family of at least 36 ragas are classified together as Raga Malhar. Some of the popular ones being:

Miyan Malhar, Gaud Malhar, Shuddha Malhar, Megh Malhar, and others.

Here's some music from our classical legends who have rendered musical pieces based on monsoon ragas:

Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR2ix11bf0U

Pt. Jasraj

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er7h1QX7zdg

In fact, there are even popular songs based on Monsoon Ragas:

Raga Megh Malhar.

https://chandrakantha.com/raga_raag/film_song_raga/megh_malhar.shtml

Raga Gaur Malhar

https://chandrakantha.com/raga_raag/film_song_raga/gaur_malhar.shtml

Raga Mian Ki Malhar

https://chandrakantha.com/raga_raag/film_song_raga/mian_ki_malhar.shtml

Raga Sur Malhar

https://chandrakantha.com/raga_raag/film_song_raga/sur_malhar.shtml

Moreover, there are Ghazals also which romanticize the rains.

Raga Mian Ki Malhar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOAJZru85lY&list=RDUOAJZru85lY&start_radio=1&t=0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWGD-KleXic

Monsoon Healing:

As soon as the dark clouds appear, we crave for a hot cup of tea – garma garam chai!

Did you know that Indian diversity seeps down to even different varieties of ‘Chai’ that have therapeutic effects?

Masala Chai – A blend of cardamom, clove, black pepper, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg, the masala chai is soothing as it trickles down a sore throat.

Ginger Chai – Grated ginger is added while the tea is brewing. Helps fight colds too.

Elaichi or Cardamom Chai – Freshly powdered Cardamom is added to the brew. Cardamom is an antioxidant and also a diuretic, helps in lowering BP.

Bombay Cutting Chai – A strong concoction, this variety is served by the half-glass.

Kashmiri Kahwa – A speciality of Kashmir, this is a green tea prepared with exotic spices. The special flavour is derived from strands of saffron, and added to the blend. Saffron is known to improve mood and treat depressive symptoms.

Sulaimani Chai – A great digestive, this is a type of black tea with lemon.

Tulsi Chai – Fresh Tulsi leaves when added to the brew, is said to strengthen the immune system.

Monsoon ‘Soul Food’

A cup of hot Chai and a plate of pakoras is every person’s indulgence during the monsoon. Pakoras/Pakodis/Bhajiya…..call it by any name, and yet it tastes divine.

Monsoon Music for relaxation:

Saavan ke Gaane:

Bollywood has been hugely inspired by the rains. Every Indian at some time or the other, has broken into song, as soon as the dark clouds burst open and rain showers drench the parched land. Some of the memorable songs being:

1    Aha Rimjhim Ke Ye Pyare Pyare Geet Liye

2    Barsaat Mein Humse Mile Tum Sajan, Tumse Mile Hum

3   Zindagi Bhar Nahi Bhoolegi Woh Barsaat Ki Raat

4      Saawan Ke Jhoole Pade, Tum Chale Aao
     Rimjhim Gire Saawan, Sulag Sulag  Jaaya Mann

       Rimjhim Ke Tarane Le Ke Aayi Barsaat

        Umad Ghumad Kar Aayi Re Ghata

8      Dum Dum Diga Diga

9    Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhagi Si

1   Chhatari Na Khol, Udd Jaayege
     Saawan Ka Mahina, Pawan Kare Sor
     Sajna, Barkha Bahaar Aayi

     Ghar Aaja Ghir Aaye Badra Saanwariya

1   Lagi Aaj Saawan Ki Phir Who Jhadi Hai

1   Garjat Barsat Saawan Aayo Re

And as we get ready to bid adieu to the rains, get your playlist ready and play these songs on a loop. Drench yourselves in the joy that these monsoons bring us. Visualize yourself being soaked to the bones in the rains…. Allow yourself to be cleansed, both, mentally and physically!

And, the fragrance of the 'Rajnigandha' lingers on....


End of an era of quintessential Indian beauty.... The innocence and coyness of the character she portrayed on screen, was a true representation of the times then. Although I was very young to grasp the essence of her films 'Rajnigandha' and 'Chhoti Si Baat' at the time of their release, repeat viewings on television, made her someone we could relate to. Neville was also drawn to her films, and each time it was telecast, we watched them, sitting hand-in-hand. 

Many years later, Taarini and her daughter Janhavi became friends. We got invited to their family Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. During one of the Janmashtami celebrations at Vrindaban Gurukul, she too visited. She was very fond of Taarini, and even cooked her a few meals. One of Neville's favourite actresses, he and she even shared their birthdays.

Today as we bid her a final good-bye, I offered her long, fragrant stems of 'Rajnigandha'.

I was overwhelmed when Janhavi said, 'these are the most apt ones'. 

The song that ripped my heart after Neville moved on, tugs at my heart-strings yet again....

https://youtu.be/NC1yM-9Jwrk

Sleeve notes for Saregama's album- Bhajanrang

Colours are a function of the visual sensory system, based on perception. Colours are believed to have intrinsic powers, influencing moods, feelings and emotions. Music also possesses similar abilities that affect the senses. Any piece of music takes on the personal attributes of its practitioner, thus lending to it a uniqueness, akin to the various colours in an artiste’s palette. When different colours are mixed together, an exclusive colour takes birth. Similarly, when different musical notes are combined with one another, a new raga emerges. Whilst a painter’s artistic expression comes alive on the canvas, a musician’s canvas is ‘space’. Even the same raga when rendered by 2 different musicians takes on 2 different interpretations. Further, the different genres such as bhajans, thumris, etc have an inherent colour of their own, which then blend with the performer’s style to give the world a distinct musical colour. 

This series on the colours of various musical genres is an attempt to showcase the diverse richness of the legacy of Hindustani Classical Music.

Bhajanrang:

Bhajanrang expounds the colours of ‘Bhakti’ or devotion. Bhajans are soulful songs expressing various emotions towards the Lord. They are usually set to lilting tunes.  Bhajans have mostly been penned by saints such as  Kabir, Meerabai, Tulsidas, Surdas and many others. Bhajans may be classified based on their uniqueness of emotion.  Meerabai’s bhajans speak of her love towards Lord Krishna, who she considers a spouse. This kind of devotion is known as Madhura Bhakti. Kabir’s bhajans elucidate the philosophy of life. Yet another form of bhajan symbolizes the ‘Pukaar’ or ardent call of the devotee. Sometimes devotees feel let down in their quest for oneness with the Lord and thus experience the ‘Viraha rasa’, an emotion which conveys separation. Many a devotee has diverted this strong emotion into lyrics, thus giving rise to another form of bhajan.  Yet another interesting subject for a bhajan has been the description of the Lord. Be it the colour of the Lord’s skin tone, shape of His eyes, the ornamentation on Him, all these have found their way into literature books. Finally, there are bhajans which are said to help a devotee find peace. These bhajans are usually the name of the Lord and are repetitive in nature. The literature of the bhajan, the music composer’s creative input and the singer’s interpretation are all strong parameters, thus lending to a bhajan its unique colour. No wonder then, every classical artiste strongly desires to render bhajans which are in a unique genre of their own, an aesthetic combination of literature and music. 

‘Bhajanrang’ features bhajans rendered by legendary classical artistes only, thus making this album an exclusive one. 

About the Music:

 CD 1: Opens with bhajans by the maestro Pt. Bhimsen Joshi. His mastery over bhajans in three languages viz. Marathi, Kanada and Hindi, made him an artiste par excellence. Gaan Saraswati Kishoritai’s ‘Mharo Pranam’ has achieved an immortal status. When Pt. Jasraj renders a bhajan, one is transported to a temple. When Begum Parween Sultana scales the octaves in her mesmerizing voice, the listener ascends to a level closer to the Divine. Malavika Kanan’s Meera bhajan is followed by two more Meera bhajans rendered by Manik Varma, a versatile artiste in her own right. 

CD 2: ‘Mere to Giridhar Gopal’ and ‘Pag Ghunghroo Baandh’ by the legend M. S. Subbulakshmi  are bhajans that are iconic. Besides his other bhajans, Pt. D. V. Paluskar’s ‘Payo Ji Maine Raamratan’ is sung by younger artistes even today. Hirabai Barodekar’s bhajans are as soulful as her thumri and khayal renditions. Pt. Narayanrao Vyas’s ‘Radhe Krishna Bol Mukhse’ and Pt. Omkarnath Thakur’s ‘Main Nahin Maakhan Khayo’ make this album a truly eclectic one. 

CD 3: Pt. Kumar Gandharva’s ‘Nirguni’ bhajans are legendary. When paired with his talented wife Vasundhara Komkali, the music took on a magical touch. Lakshmi Shankar became highly popular for her khayal, thumri and bhajan renditions. Pt. Shrikant Bakre’s ‘Shamsunder Madanmohan’ is followed by bhajans by the talented Dr. Ashwini Bhide Deshpande and Sanjeev Abhyankar, both, representatives of the younger generation of artistes. Girija Devi has sung two bhajans in this album, one of which is by Sant Namdev. Pt. Rajan Sajan Misra’s dual rendition makes the next track extra-ordinary. The bhajan ‘Ud Jayega Hans Akela’ by the versatile Pt. Kumar Gandharva is a befitting closure to this 3 CD pack of bhajans. 

My journey with Sangeet Martand Pt Jasraj ji

13th October, 2016, Nehru Centre, Mumbai, is a day am going to cherish for a lifetime. Sangeet Martand Pt. Jasraj ji mesmerised the audience with the divine musical prowess, very few are blessed with. A legend who at the ripe young age of 86, could give a younger musician a run for his money. The control over every ‘sur’, the magical intonation of every syllable, the ‘kharaj’ akin to a lion’s roar, stand testimony to the Master’s command over his craft.

Durga Jasraj, in 1987, then a friend of a friend’s, had invited us to dinner at their lovely home in Shivaji Park. That opened doors to a charming friendship between her and me. Durga's love and dedication towards the art form has provided unique platforms to not only the legends but also the next generation of artistes, thus showcasing talent that is both enchanting and deserving respectively.

One of the most memorable concerts I've attended of Pt. Jasraj ji's, was on a very special evening.. Pandit ji was performing at the Ravindra Natya Mandir, with Zakir ji accompanying him on the Tabla. I had no ticket and it was a sold-out show. I requested Zakir ji and soon found myself seated on the floor, in the wings, soaking in the divine music. Little did I know, that the word 'Taarini' appearing in that evening's rendition of 'Mata Kaalika' would subsequently be the name we chose for our daughter.. What made that concert special was, my pregnancy was confirmed just that very morning! Yes, life does have her magical ways...

Durga’s warm invitations to all her musical endeavours, gave me an opportunity to meet and be in awe of Pt. Jasraj ji. At one such concert, Pt. Bhimsen ji was performing. This was again at Ravindra Natya Mandir, Mumbai. Soon after the concert, Jasraj ji took me back stage and introduced me to Bhimsen ji, who in turn, very casually said, “inko toh hum pehchante hain. IMG ke concerts mein bahut baar dekha hai inko backstage”! My jaw dropped as I realised that I was being watched even as I would surreptitiously  stand in a corner, observing all my Gods (of music) in the green room, where I would gain entry, thanks to Zakir ji’s kindness.

Subsequently, I became a regular at Jasraj ji’s residence, then in Parel. I was welcomed into the privileged fold comprising lunches, dinners and impromptu music sessions along with his bunch of dedicated students. On one such occasion in 1994, they were heading to the U.S. Consulate for their visas. I recall Panditji saying to me, “aap bhi America chaleye. Hum concerts karenge aur aap humare sabke saath ghoom lijiye”. I thought he was kidding until when I met him the next day, and he handed me a visa application form! Well, I filled it and applied wondering what fate had in store. Bingo! Before I knew, I was holding a 5-year visa. All I now needed to do was book my tickets. Even here, Pandit ji managed to wield his magic wand and procured for me (and his students) an unbelievable ticket of Delta Airlines, providing innumerable flights for internal travel. I purchased the same from his contact in London, bought a Bombay – New York – Bombay ticket on Air-India and was all set to fly to America, a dream destination for most of us then!

A 2- month tour, covering all of USA and most of Canada, I was indeed blessed to experience the life of a performing artiste. Starting with the concert in Houston, I went on to accompanying Pandit ji on the Tanpura at 16 concerts. In fact the one at Delaware was recorded to be released as an album. After the concert, I recall Pandit ji slipping a 100 USD bill into my hands saying, “tanpurewali ki fees”. I was shocked, thrilled and joyous at my very first earning in the music field, being in USD! The long hours spent travelling on the roads of America, invariably led to ‘Antakshari’ sessions. The impact the concerts had on me was clearly visible at these song sessions. When my turn arrived, I would more often than not, break into one of Pandit ji’s ‘bandishs’. He would be amused and remark, ‘arre, inko kya hogaya?’ The mischievous smile accompanying such remarks, gave away his appreciation at my imbibing the lyrics and appropriately presenting them during the game!

During one of the many visits I made to Hongkong in the 90s, Pt. Jasraj ji and Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia ji were scheduled to perform together at a ‘Jugalbandi’ concert organised by my dear friend Avisha. The camaraderie between the 2 legends, our outings together and inspiring conversations, are now all stacked away in a very special box of memories. The powerful vocal and instrumental rendition of Raag Jog as part of the ‘jugalbandi’, continues to play in my head, even today.

As the job I kept then, required me to travel quite a bit within the country, allowed me sometimes to be in a particular city coinciding with a concert. During one such in Chennai, Pandit ji had planned to visit the legend M.S. Subbulakshmi ji on the day after the concert. I was asked to accompany. One more experience am truly indebted to him for. The taste of the Horlicks she made for us, with me standing next to her in her kitchen, the words she uttered while blessing me, are moments etched deep in my memory.

Another time, a drive from Chennai to Coimbatore along with him and his extended family of students, led to the impromptu composing of a song (in Raag Hamsadhwani), dedicated to me! All I can say is, I am truly humbled!

‘Purna Kalash’ was a concert I was truly privileged to be associated with. Songs and bhajans dedicated to Lord Krishna were presented by Pandit ji in his inimitable style, in a specially designed venue, where the performance platform was constructed at the mouth of a 5-star hotel swimming pool, with the audience seated around the pool. Lotuses and lit ‘diyas’ in the pool, enhanced the beauty of the Kojagiri Purnima night, making it a musically, aesthetically memorable occasion. Even here, I did my bit as an enthusiastic lover of music, but what surprised me most, was Smt Madhura Jasraj ji announcing my name along with hers and Alaknanda ji's, as a co-producer of the show. A gorgeous sari soon followed, as a gesture of thanks from the gracious lady.

The many times Pandit ji travelled with me in my car, sharing stories and anecdotes....his visit to our home on a Diwali morning....his attendance at Taarini’s 5th birthday party....are a few incidents that speak volumes of the love and blessings he has showered upon me!

Thank you, Jasraj ji......you have greatly enriched my life!

When Mother Teresa Held My Hand

My experience with Mother Teresa just got published....

http://www.indiapages.in/mother-teresa-held-hand-6569.html

The Samovar shall be no more!

I can't imagine Jehangir Art Gallery without the Samovar... It's like losing a part of my life... Amma introduced it to me and regaled me with stories of Appa & Amma's times together there! As a college student and a serious member of the BNHS, Samovar became a regular haunt. Later, I even sometimes managed to grab a quick lunch there, from office. Their mint tea and hot pakoras were a must during monsoons. And on hotter days, their chilled guava juice! Just the other day, during the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, I stopped by at the Samovar and feasted my eyes on the museum building, a part of which is visible from the cafe. I was just so grateful for this quaint little place tucked away in the folds of time. Am truly saddened by this news of it downing its shutters and am beginning to wonder if Bombay has finally become Mumbai!

Brilliance In Action

When it began, it seemed like any other day. The usual chores, the normal routine... As the evening approached, an excitement began to build up. I was scheduled to watch a play. Theatre is a performing art form I have always revered. For me, watching a play means becoming an invisible participant. Mentally I partake, I play a character and experience an adrenalin rush close to what the actors on stage must be experiencing. But today was going to be different. I was preparing to just allow the magic to unfold. Naseeruddin Shah and Rajit Kapur. 2 very formidable names. And the play, 'A Walk in The Woods'. How do they do it? How can someone create magic by mouthing words? No cuts! No re-takes! How do they 'become' the character? I wasn't watching Naseer or Rajit. I was watching Mr Ram and Mr Jamal exchanging some very poignant moments. Naseer and Rajit ceased existing for the duration of the play. Here, I wish to convey my compliments to Ratna Pathak Shah for her debut as a director. I often wonder what it takes for any artiste to attain such phenomenal levels of perfection. In spite of my close proximity to some legendary artistes and a keen study of their behavioural pattern, am still seeking answers. Am given glimpses but that still doesn't complete the picture for me. This is a quest I intend pursuing and believe, some day I shall find the elusive piece to complete the puzzle. Meanwhile, coming back to Jamal and Ram, or rather Naseer and Rajit, I was floored by their ability to get under the skin of their respective portrayals. The voice modulations, the body language and other intangible traits left me speechless. After the play, Parimal Aloke, a dear friend who works closely with Naseer, was kind enough to grant me a wish. My desire to meet the 2 people who had just displayed their brilliance was granted. My day would have been incomplete if I hadn't had the opportunity to thank them both for transporting me to another world. A world of perfection! Meeting both of them re-affirmed my faith in the belief that only super achievers are the most humble. Thank you Mr Shah. Thank you Mr Kapur. I had just witnessed 'brilliance in action'!