He Shyam Sundar Rajasa - Marathi Bhavgeet sung by Kishori Amonkar

 I was absolutely captivated and enthralled by this song, originally sung by Gaan Saraswathi Smt. Kishoritai Amonkar, composed by Pt. Hridaynath Mangeshkar, and lyrics by the wonderful poetess, Shanta Shelke.

 This song haunted me so much, that I had to succumb to attempting it, even if it was a shot in the dark. Complex nuances with every possible gayaki pattern I can perceive - Gamaks, quick murkhis, long meends, straight notes, layakaari, all interwoven in a lovely Rupak taal, this song was surely a challenge created by Pt. Hridaynathji, and sung simply stunningly by Smt. Kishori Amonkarji.
This is based on Raag Paraj Bahar.

कवयित्री - शांता शेळके
संगीत : पं. हृदयनाथ मंगेशकर
गायिका : किशोरी आमोणकर

हे श्याम सुन्दर राजसा मनमोहना
विनवुनी सांगते तुज
जाऊ दे मला परतुनी || ध्रु ||

गाव गोकुळ दूर राहे दूर यमुना नीर वाहे ...(२)
हरवले मी कसे मज
चालले कुठे घनवनी || १ ||

पावरीचा सूर भिडला मजसी माझा विसर पडला ...(२)
नकळता पाउले मम
राहिली इथे थबकुनी || २ ||

पानजाळी सळसळे का ? भिवविती रे लाख शंका ...(२)
थरथरे बावरी मन
संगती सखी नच कुणी || ३ ||

Raag Bhoop (Bhopali/Bhoopali)

Presenting an aurally pleasing raaga - a simple, elegant raag Bhoopali (Bhopali or Bhoop) - I am a Hindustani vocal student, and find the Hindustani style of singing immensely calming. Needless to say the vast improvement in breath control with long singing techniques.
I would like to thank my Hindustani Guru, for her constant guidance and tutelage in accordance with the timeless musical tradition of Gwalior-Kirana Gharana.
Have always been drawn to Pentatonic raags - Bhoop (Mohanam in Carnatic) is one such raag which uses a pentatonic scale (5 ascending and 5 descending). Uses only shuddha swaras, and hence has an inane beauty and simplicity to its tone.
Thaat: Kalyan
Aaroh : Sa Re Ga Pa Dha Sa'
Avaroh : Sa' Dha Pa Ga Re Sa, (Dha) Sa
Pakad (signature phrase) : G R, S (D), S R G, P G, R S, (D) (D) S
P G D P, G R S,

( ) is for lower octave (mandra saptak) notes, ' denotes upper octave (taar saptak) notes
Vaadi: (Predominant sound) Ga Samvaadi (next of importance) Dha
Time (Samay) : 1st quarter of night (Late Evening/Early Night)

I will be singing a traditional Khayal bandish composed by Sadarang (originally Niyamat Khan). Niyamat Khan ji (1670-1748) was one of the pioneers of Khayals of Hindustani classical music and had composed many traditional bandishes and helped formulate the Khayal structure and establishing it to a large extent (along with his nephew Firoz Khan also called Adarang)
I am presenting a brief alaap, a bandish called Itan Joban Par Maan na kariye in Madhyalaya teentaal and also drut teentaal. Raag Bhoopali - A beginning alaap by swaravanshi Raag Bhoopali - Bandish in Madhyalaya Teentaal -Part 1 by swaravanshi Raag Bhoopali- Bandish in Drut Teentaal- Part2 by swaravanshi

Some of the Light songs I have recorded.
One of my favorites: Jyoti Kalash Chhalke, composed by Late Shri. Sudhir Phadke ji

Dil Hoom Hoom Kare, Bhupen HazarikaJi's composition in Bhoop

Sapnon se bhare Naina - Luck by Chance (Female cover)

Movie : Luck By Chance
Music Director : Shankar Ehsaan & Loy
Singer(s) : Shankar Mahadevan
Lyricists : Javed Akhtar

A completely western fusion take on classical Raag Bhairavi. Fabulous track with bass guitar chords throughout topped with Shankar Mahadevan's brilliant bold vocals. The Pièce de résistance of course is the classic improv-style Sargams infused by Shankarji into the middle of the song, and the high notes. What an insanely amazing artiste the world has obtained in Shankar Mahadevan.

The lyrics, as always beautifully penned by Javed Akhtar, talk about the relentless pursuit of one (in this instance, a wannabe Bollywood actor) in search of their dreams. Eyes are filled with dreams, and there is many a sleepless night, but one must not give up for the sake of those awake eyes.
To quote the words of Tagore..
"I have become my own version of an optimist. If I can't make it through one door, I'll go through another door -- or I'll make a door. Something terrific will come no matter how dark the present."

Coming to the composition, the tune is reasonably simple, except for a few tricky upward slides and drops. What I found challenging was the rockish beats to which it is sung - it was a good experiment to use a different beat sound to sing to classical-ish music! Track is not the best, so please do bear.

Here is my attempt. I listened to contestants on SRGMP and Chote Ustaad sing this, and they were awesome.

Malvun Taak Deep - a brief take..

Malvun Taak Deep

Composed by: Pt. Hridaynath Mangeshkar
Sung by: Lata Mangeshkar
Written by: Suresh Bhat

Presenting an excerpt of a very rare and beautiful gem of a Marathi song, sung ever so beautifully by Lataji. The tune of this song has a mystical feel to it, imparted by the raag Pt. Hridaynathji based it on - Raag Bhoopkali or Bhoopeshwari
I will be singing some other melodies based on this rare raag, once I'm done learning them. :-)

Lyrics and Meaning:
---------------------

मालवून टाक दीप, चेतवून अंग अंग
राजसा किती दिसात, लाभला निवांत संग
Quench this flame inside,
revitalizing me inside-out,
Has been a long time, since we
Found this solitude, My prince!

त्या तिथे फुलाफुलात, पेंगते अजून रात
हाय तू करु नकोस, एवढयात स्वप्न भंग
The night still lingers,
in those flowers yonder!
Don't end these dreams, not yet!

राजसा...
मालवून टाक दीप..
Has been a long time, since we
found this solitude, my prince!
Quench this flame inside!

Malvun Taak Deep - a brief take by swaravanshi

RDB classic - Raina Beethi Jaaye

Lyricist	:Anand Bakshi
Singer	:Lata Mangeshkar
Music Director	:Rahuldev Burman
Movie	:Amar Prem - 1971

A sentimental classic composed by Late RD Burman and sung so soulfully and mellifluously by none other than Lataji, one can vociferously say classics like these are hard to find this day in age. A song so beautiful, as a Music composer rightly put, its anything but hummable or cannot be used as a ringback tone yet fills the heart with longing love, and makes one yearn for more.. Lyrics aptly express the pining Radha feels for her beloved Shyaam (Krishna) as he makes her wait.

Here is my humble attempt of this classic. It is based on Raag Gurjari Todi (although according to purists, it also impinges on raag Lalit as the song progresses). Please listen at your leisure.

RDB Classic - Raina Beethi Jaaye by swaravanshi