Of swords, daggers and arrows

No guesses for what the title of the post is all about. Listen to the songs and enjoy the Shringar Rasa dripping from the poetry.

Girija Devi - Bhairavi Dadra - Nayan Ki Mat Maro Talwariya :  



Channulal Mishra - Dadra - Tore Naina Khilade Katar Sajani :  





Shobha Gurtu - Dadra - Baan Nainon Ka :  



Munawar Ali Khan & Raza Ali Khan - Tirchi Najaria Ke Baan :  

Monsoon yearning

Anyone who has endured the unrelenting heat of the Indian summer will appreciate the relief that the Monsoon brings to the Indo-Gangetic plains. Cleansed of the heat and the dust, all nature seems to wear a new shiny robe. Suddenly the air is laden with the smell of damp earth and the gathering clouds cover the scorching sun with the promise of showers. The men and the boys are on rooftops flying kites of a hundred colors, while women and children swing from the branches of lofty trees. Peacocks fan out their long incandescent tails and the Papiha bird sings its love songs. The whole atmosphere is loaded with the symbology of love and yearning.



The ancient Vedic culture of India believed in the invocation of the rain Gods to bring life to the parched plains of India. Ragas were sung in scientifically worked out lengths and recited with specific musical notes to initiate the onset of rains each year before the season. Musical geniuses in ancient India believed that specific notes, sung in certain phrases, could darken the skies and bring a downpour of rains. In fact, this practice of invoking the rain Gods continues even in modern India whenever there is fear of a delayed Monsoon.

Begum Akhtar - Chha Rahi Kali Ghata :  



Munawar Ali Khan - Kari Ghata Ghir Aayi Ri Sajani :  





Shobha Gurtu - Chhai Ghata Ghan Ghor :  



Ashwini Bhide - Chha Rahi Kari Ghata :  



.. more songs of the Monsoon »

All in the family

Among all classical musicians, Bade Ghulam Ali Khan was truly the king of emotions and thumris. He often used to say, "Many people have the misconception that classical music has no powers of expression. This is because generally our musicians are more interested in technical virtuosity. But emotion is the very soul of our music. In fact our music has the power to express the subtlest nuances of human emotions". Bade Ghulam Ali Khan proved his point by creating his own style, which was an excellent blend of impressive technical mastery, appealing and emotional expressions. With this extraordinary blend, Bade Ghulam Ali Khan could render fluent khayals, sprightly thumris, erotic ghazals and soulful bhajans with an artistry all his own.



Bade Ghulam Ali Khan - Kate Na Biraha Ki Raat :  (Download)



Bade Ghulam Ali Khan - Tirchhi Najaria Ke Baan :  (Download)



Barkat Ali Khan, Bade Ghulam Ali Khan's brother also had great talent. Some even say, the sweetness of his voice at times surpassed that of Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. Khan Saheb, however, allowed his brother to only accompany him on the harmonium, but never to sing with him in public. Therefore Barkat Ali Khan remained unknown to most music lovers. It is difficult to say why Bade Ghulam Ali Khan always kept his brother in the background and did not give him the chance to display his talent independently.



Barkat Ali Khan - Ratiyan Kidhar Ganwaeen :  (Download)



Barkat Ali Khan - Mora Saiyan Tanak Dhun Laye :  (Download)



Munawar Ali Khan, Bade Ghulam Ali Khan's younger son, was his constant companion and was being groomed to succeed him. He always accompanied Khan Saheb on the tanpura and being so close to his father, he imbibed the vast treasure of his father's musical knowledge. Naturally with such training and all the makings of a first grade artist, everyone expected him to follow in Bade Ghulam Ali Khan's footsteps. Unfortunately, Khan Saheb as with his brother Barkat Ali Khan, had always kept Munawar under his wing and never allowed him to bloom in his individual capacity.



Munawar Ali Khan - O Maar Daala Re Nazariya Milaikey :  (Download)



Munawar Ali Khan - Bhajan - Pag Ghunghroo :  (Download)



Raza Ali Khan is Munawar Ali Khan's son. He received his early training from his grandfather, Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and after that, extensively, from his father. He accompanied his father on concerts and sung alongside. Raza Ali Khan is an A-grade musician of the All India Radio. He is married to actress Neelima Azeem, mother of film actor Shahid Kapoor.



Raza Ali Khan - Prem Ke Phande Mein :  (Download)



Raza Ali Khan - Rang Laga Gayo :  (Download)



It is true that Bade Ghulam Ali Khan belonged to a long and illustrious musical lineage. But it was his genius that chiselled off the harsh crudities and angularites of the once 'dry' Patiala Gharana and lent it such a rare polish and glow that today it has achieved worldwide popularity. Bade Ghulam Ali Khan has left behind not only hundreds of singers trying to emulate him, but also thousands of music lovers who cherish the music of Patiala Gharana.

Comments are welcome.