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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 Pt. Jasraj presents the live recording of the concluding concert held at Saptak Musical Festival, 2001. Pt Jasraj is the Mewati Gharana doyen and one of the most prominent vocalists of our time. He is supported by two disciples in vocals and on violin by Kala Ramnath.

The CD starts with a slow but short meditative alaap and as is the practice of Pt. Jasraj in the last decade incorporates a Sanskrit shloka, mangalam bhagavan vishnu. Maru Behag is a late evening Raaga of recent origins, combining the Aaroha of Behag and avarohana of Kalyan.

Then Jasraj sings a composition, o rasiyaa ho na jaa, in vilambit EkTaal, assisted very well by disciples on vocals and violin. Here he displays his famous soft voice, great control and virtuosity, often encouraging his disciples to come up with their own improvisations. Dhruth Teentaal composition, mai methe hari ju ke bolna , follows, for which the pakhavaj accompanist joins in. Jasraj explores the raaga here with several fast solfa (sargam) phrases and taans, traversing a wide range, showing remarkably few strains for someone who is into his 70s. As a reviewer in Hindu notes (The Review), despite his advancing years, his voice is intact and he has complete control over his vocal chords.

The final track is a rather long Sanskrit Vaishnavaite Bhajan, om namo bhagawathe vaasu devaaya. Several of his disciples join him in this bhajan. With age, like Indians, Pt Jasraj seems to have become more religious, and his singing of bhajans now carry more conviction and soul. As he says, music is like prayer to him.

Jasraj in center, but both Kala and Tabla to the left. Even main vocal support to the left. Pakhavaj, harmonium to the right, but, hardly audible.

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

CD Information

Tracks

Nu.	Title	Raaga	Taala	Lyrics	Time	Music
1	Alaap	Maru Behag		Mangalam bhagavan vishnu	7:33
2	Khayal Vilambith	Maru Behag	EkTaal	Rasiya ho na jaa	29:52
3	Khayal	Maru Behag	TeenTaal	Mai methe hari ju ke bolna	12:35
4	Bhajan	Bhimpalasi		Om namo bhagawathe vaasu devaaya	26:23

Liner Notes

Good liner notes with profile of the artist and music.