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Review

Sense World Music is a new addition to the growing number of labels dedicated to Indian classical music. Started in 2002 Sense World is based in UK, with a studio in Gujarat. Many of the albums are live concert recordings of the Saptak Music Festival held every year in Ahmedabad, Gujarat every year in winter.

This CD by Gundecha Brothers, Ramakant and Umakant, is a live recording of the Saptak Concert in 2002. Disciples of Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar, they represent the Dagar Vani (gharana) of Dhrupad singing. They are credited with bringing Dhrupad back into the realm of mainstream concert in recent times. Dhrupad is the oldest form of Hindustani music, went into decline after the emergence of Khayal in 19th century.

The CD features Raaga Komal Rishabh Asavari, an ancient morning raaga. Dhrupadiyas prefer to use the old version of the raaga, which uses komal Rishabh. In Khayal, Asavari with shudh Ri is also used. The cd starts with the exploration of the raaga in slow, contemplative mode and which is deeply moving. Gundecha Brothers combine with each other very well, complementing each other, following each others exploration of the raaga, blending in perfect harmony at times but mostly singing alternately. The alaap lasts 3 tracks, moving from the slow alaap to rhythmic non-toms and concluding with oscillating nom-toms full of heavy Gamaka-s. After about 8 minutes in the third track, ati dhruth alaap is sung, showcasing the vocal control and technical abilities of the brothers.

Fourth track is a dhrupad composition, Aai Khelan Ko Ho Faag Lalaso set to chautaal, which is a song based on the Holi festival (a hori ?). The composition is sung clearly as is the tradition in dhrupad, accompanied by pakhavaj. The sthaayi is repeated several times, in various expositions of the raaga. The fift track is again a dhrupad composition Aan Sunai Bansuri Kana Kana, set to sooltaal, a pleasing dhrupad.

The accompaniment of Akhilesh Gundecha on the pakhavaj is competent and he supports the vocalists well. Recording is as usual dependable, with good stereophonic separation between brothers, though the separation is a bit too wide considering they sit next to each other and sing. Also, Placement of pakhavaj in the center, in between the brothers is unnatural.

Overall 4.0 stars for the music and 3.5 stars for the recording. Recommended.

CD Information

Tracks

Nu.	Title	Time	Music
1	Vilambith Alaap in Raaga Komal Rishabh Asavari	18:13
2	(Jor) Alaap in Raaga Komal Rishabh Asavari	8:11
3	(Jhalla) Alaap in Raaga Komal Rishabh Asavari	17:00
4	Aai Khelan Ko Ho Faag Lalaso - Dhrupad in Chautaal	11:59
5	Aan Sunai Bansuri Kana Kana - Dhrupad in Sooltaal	7:13

Liner Notes

Good liner notes with a profile of the artists and explanation of the music. The name of the raag, though, is not mentioned anywhere on the cover ! Also, in the introductory part, dhrupad is dated to 11th century, which is not correct. (Should be 12-13th century, see Birth of Dhrupad)