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Review

Sense World 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 Prabhakar Karekar is not a live recording, though. A popular concert artist, Pt. Prabhakar Karekar, presents the best of Agra, Jaiput and Gwalior gharanas that he imbibed from two of his Guru-s, Pt Jitendra Abhisheki and Pt C. R. Vyas. For those who have not heard Prabhakar Karekar, he has an excellent control over his slightly high pitched voice, sometimes reminding one of the maestro Pt Mallikarjun Mansur.

The CD starts with Raaga Desi first a Vilambith Khayal in Ektaal, moving on to Dhruth Khayal in Teen Taal. Desi raag is a morning raag brimming with freshness. Pt Karekar starts with a short alaap and builds the raaga slowly with the bandsh Akhiya bhar aayi in slow Ek Taal, the most commonly used taal for vilambith khayal. He shifts to dhruth khayal Aayi re aayi tore milan ko after about 23 minutes, which is full of well executed and aesthetically pleasing taans.

The second track is the afternoon raaga Madhumad Sarang. A slow serene khayal set to rupak taal. Two bandishes Man Tuhi Ko and Ranga de are presented after a very short alaap. The development of the raaga is measured suiting the mood of this afternoon raaga, moving from lower register to the higher one as the khayal progresses. The second bandish in Dhruth teen taal comes, again after about 23 minutes, reflecting the reality of 30 minute raaga-s which have become the norm to fit the length of a side of a cassette. The taans are generally short and well spaced.

The last track is a lively khayal in raag Hindol, suitable to present the raaga of the spring season. The bandish presentes is the rarely heard Bhajat Mridang in madhyam laya TeenTaal, moving to dhruth TeenTaal towards the end of the track, when Pt Karekar presents taans.

The accompaniment is competent, supporting the artist well without getting in the way, remaining well in the background as is needed in a Hindustani vocal concert.

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

CD Information

Tracks

Nu.	Title	Taala	Lyrics	Time	Music
1	Raaga Desi	Vilabit EkTaal Dhruth TeenTaal	Akhiya bhar aayi Aayire aayi tore milan ko	30:01
2	Raaga Madhumad Sarang	Rupak Taal Dhruth TeenTaal	Man tuhi ko Rangade	18:08
3	Raaga Hindol	TeenTaal	Bhajat mridang	12:55

Liner Notes

Good liner notes with a profile of the artist and explanation of the music. Identifying the composers is a rare but worthy trend.