Sunday, September 20, 2015

Ganpati Bappa Morya!

Happy Ganesh Chathurthi to one and all!


Wishing a very Happy Ganesh Chathurthi to all those who celebrate. May the Lord Vighna Vinayaka remove all obstacles in your paths and shower you with peace, happiness and prosperity.

Growing up in Mumbai, Ganpati festival has had a special significance to me.  Enjoying the day with Ganesh pooja performed by my father, lovely sweet and salty modaks (Vella Thengai and Kadalaparuppu kozhakattais) prepared by my mom, and visiting every possible Ganpati - Chembur, Dukes, Tilak Nagar, Matunga, Dadar, Siddhivinayak Mandir, Lalbaugcha Raja, GSB Seva Mandal in Kings Circle : this is a memory captured in the heart and etched in the mind of every true Mumbaikar.

That combined with listens of Aartis and Ganpati bhajans by Lata Mangeshkar makes it a memorable treat.

I would like to share with you my cover rendition of a traditional Marathi Aarti, popularised in Lataji's mellifluous sweet voice.  My musician friend, Adwait Ranade, has accompanied me for chorus and sloka chanting.  Thank you, Adwait. 


Sukhakarta Dukhaharta (harbinger of happiness and dispeller of distress), is a popular Marathi arati dedicated to the Hindu god Ganesha, composed by the saint Samarth Ramdas (1608 - 1682 CE).It is included in the "most standard and almost universal" arati songs sung at the end of Puja (worship rituals) of Ganesha in Maharashtra, especially in his festival Ganesh Chaturthi as well as in Ganesha temples in the region.
Ganpati Bappa Morya! Have a beautiful start to all your works!




Saturday, September 12, 2015

Marathi Abhang : Ya Pandhariche Sukha 


Sorry for the long absence from my side on blogging and sharing my work.  
I lost my beloved father in January 2015. He was my solid rock and support for all my musical endeavors and experiments and always encouraged me with all my work. He was one of my most avid followers on the blogworld.

It is back to basics these days, as I have rekindled my love for Yaman, listening to stalwarts like Veena Sahasrabuddhe, Kishori Amonkar, Basavaraj Rajguru, and attending workshops in several Gharanas like Jaipur, Agra etc. 

Coming to today's share, My love for this Sant Eknath Abhang is immense.  I listened to KishoriTai Amonkar's rendition on a loop. 
Eknath was the grandson of Sant Bhanudas. Vitthal (Lord Vishnu who was established in Pandharpur, also known as Pandhari) was their family deity; Eknath also worshiped Vitthal from childhood. As Eknath was born in a family of saints he inherited bhakthi towards Vitthal from his family members. He learnt the sastras from his father till he was about 12. He then wanted to go to a Sadguru and learn sastras under him. Eknath wanted to get a good guru and prayed to Vitthal to guide him to one. Vitthobha then came in his dream and asked him to request Janardhana Swami to be his guru. Janadhana Swami was a great yogi; he had his ashram in a forest. Eknath felt that if he informs his parents they will not let him go and so one day went to Janardhana Swami’s ashram with out informing them. He joined the ashram and started serving his guru. He served his Sadguru for 12 years. 
He wrote many great poems in honor of Vitthal, and this is one such composition.

या पंढरीचे सुख पाहतां डोळां ।
उभा तो जिव्हाळा योगीयांचा ॥१॥

म्हणोनियां मन वेधलें चरणीं ।
आणिक त्यागुनी बुडी दिली ॥२॥

जनार्दनाचा एका धांवे लोटांगणीं ।
करी वोवाळणी शरीराची ॥३॥

Lyrics - Sant Eknath संत एकनाथ
Music - Kishori Amonkar किशोरी आमोणकर
Singer - Kishori Amonkar किशोरी आमोणकर
Presentation by - Swaravanshi

Please do visit my presentation of this Divine Pandhari Abhang, set in Yaman Kalyan, with its pristine composition by Kishori AmonkarTai.  
Taal is Drut Deepchandi - 14 beats.