Posts

Showing posts from 2016

Malhaar ke Prakaar - On Miyan ki Malhaar - The Giver of Rain

Image
Miyan ki Malhaar - The marvel and the mystique Malhar  is an old  raga  in  Indian classical music . [1]  Malhar is associated with the atmosphere of torrential rains. [2]  Besides the basic Shuddha Malhar, which was the original Malhar, there are several Malhar-related ragas that use the Malhar signature phrase m (m)R (m)R P, including Miyan Malhar, Ramdasi Malhar, Gaud Malhar, Sur Malhar, Des Malhar, Nat Malhar, and Meera ki Malhar.  In my post here, I am presenting some details on Miyan ki Malhaar, one of the most distinctive Malhaar prakaar ragas. Miyan Malhaar is a monsoon raga, popularly used for invoking and embracing rain to drench the earth and welcome monsoon. One of the Navaratnas (nine jewels) of Emperor Akbar's court - Miyan Tansen, created this raga - which is a musical prayer to monsoon for a rejuvenation of life.  The melodic structure of M.Malhaar stems largely from the raga's use of both Shuddha (while ascending) ...

My live Bhajan performances

Sorry for the time lapse with new posts.  In the semi-classical genre, I am always drawn to Bhajans, Abhangs and Asthapadis, due to the pace and rhythm, along with the ability to emote in honor of the Supreme Being. I had the opportunity to perform for a few Bhajan sandhyas - the first is a beautiful Bhajan originally by Pts. Rajan and Sajan Mishra - Chalo Man brindavan ki Or.. The second one is a performance I had during Rama Navami celebrations in the local Dwarkamai temple,  Aadi Ant Mera Hai Raam, originally sung by Smt. Haimanti Shukla and composed by Pt. Bhimsen Joshi: