Pandit Jasraj enthrals Dhaka

Pandit Jasraj enthrals Dhaka

The Pandit is still hitting high notes at the age of 81, writes Faizul Khan Tanim

Although it was not midnight when the octogenarian stalwart of the Mewati Gharana, Pandit Jasraj, took to the stage, his Raaga Darbari (midnight raaga) intoxicated the jam-packed auditorium and those sitting outside the venue watching the performance projected onto a screen with a mediocre sound system.

The event was organised by the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC), High Commission of India, Dhaka, who had perhaps underestimated the enthusiasm with which people would throng to see the musician on stage. Many people who had passes to the event were unable to enter the main auditorium and had to make do with the makeshift arrangements outside.

For those who missed this performance at the National Theatre Hall of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy last Friday, they truly missed a mind-altering performance of the maestro’s magical Jasrangis – a term coined affectionately to depict the conception of a unique and novel Jugalbandi, styled on the ancient system of Murchhana between a male and a female vocalist, each singing in their respective scales and different raagas at the same time.

He started with a khayal set on Raaga Behaag and ended with the Bhajan singing Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya and in between were powerful verses from a Bandish, Ya Meri Mowla, Ya Rasul-Allah, the movement of his vocal scales filling the atmosphere, as he unfolded a combination of playful sargam with the architecture of his taan patterns.

The veteran was accompanied by some disciples and instrumentalists on stage - Tripti Mukherjee and Marina Alam on vocals, Ram Kumar Mishra on tabla and Mukund Patkar on harmonium.

Pandit Jasraj's vocal range extends across three-and-a-half octaves. His vocalising is in perfect diction and clarity, a trademark of the Mewati Gharana style of Khayal. He has researched extensively on Haveli Sangeet under Baba Shyam Manohar Goswami Maharaj and produced numerous innovative bandish (composition).

For his outstanding performance, he has been awarded all the Padma titles – Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan and as well the Sangeet Natak Academy Award from the Government of India, and others such as Surer Guru, Sangeet Martand, Sangeet Kala Ratna, Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar, and Dinanath Mangeshkar Award.

The fountain-head of the Mewati Gharana, Ustad Ghagge Nazir Khan came from the kingdom of Jodhpur in Mewat, Rajasthan. The traditions of the Gharana were passed on to Pandits Natthulal and Chimanlal, and Pandit Natthulal passed it on to his nephew Pandit Motiram, training for seven years under his mentor. Pandit Motiram in turn passed it on to his brother Pandit Jyotiramji, who later became a disciple of Ustad Rajjab Ali Khan, and to his sons, Pandit Maniram, Pandit Pratapnarayan and eventually his son, Pandit Jasraj, who was born in 1930. Initiated by his father, Pandit Motiram, his vocal training came to a sudden stop when his father passed away. However, his eldest brother, Pandit Maniram ensured that the legacy was carried forward with rigorous training for Pandit Jasraj.

Today, Pandit Jasraj’s mastery of this genre enthrals audiences and ensures that future generations embrace it.

http://www.theindependentdigital.com/?opt=view&page=25&date=2011-03-22