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MUSIC:
MUSINGS
Of
Strings and Songs
It
is certainly not new for Indian classical instrumentalists to turn to
singing. Certainly not like classical singers trying their talent at pop
music. Shujaat Khan's (son of sitar maestro Ustad Vilayat Khan), foray
into both these trends came way back in 1995 when he sang and played the
sitar simultaneously for Magnasound in an album titled Lajjo Lajjo.
And now Music Today has released Sur aur Saaz under a licensing
agreement with News, Views & Music of India. "When I first did
this I was made to feel an outcast by purists, but today the same musicians
are doing the same thing," says Shujaat, who lays claim to seven
generations of sitar and subahar playing. "I am no great singer,"
says Shujaat, ad-ding, "But the human voice is the most natural mode
of communication and if it is accompanied by an instrument, it adds beauty
to the composition." This album would be a testimony to that perception.
All the compositions are traditional ones learnt or acquired from various
masters as he grew up. Shujaat sings the songs line by line and fleshes
them out on the sitar. Two compositions stand out in this album -Saanjh
bhayi, udit bhayo in the rhythmic cycle of Ektala based on the evening
raga Yaman Kalyan. He starts with a brief alap and then alternates between
song and the sitar-reproducing each sung line on the instrument. The piece
builds up to a breath-stopping jhala. The other notable composition is
the Kabir Bhajan, Ham ka Udhave set to Keherwa taal based on an early
morning raga, Mishra Bhairavi. The rich tonality of the sitar-from its
grave resonance in the lower octaves to the silvery sounds of the higher
octaves-is mellifluous. An album for sheer listening pleasure.
-S.
Sahaya Ranjit
The
Guru Granth Sahib is the only holy book which is entirely in verse and
set to classical music. Nor is this a sectarian opus: it comprises the
best of all mystical and devotional poetry, including Hindu, Muslim and
Sikh. RPG's single cassette Shabad Gurubani Ram Japo Ji Aise Aise of verses
from the Granth Sahib sung by Gurinder Kaur reflects not only the piety
of its subject matter but also the beauty of her voice and her bhakti
to music.
-S.Kalidas
SCREEN
SURF
It
is induslive.com (literally) which streams "Sounds from South
Asia". The site melds text-music and concert reviews, interviews,
features and research material-with Induslive radio, a bazaar (US orders
only), and a photo gallery. The site furnishes pop and Bollywood music
lovers with enough to chew on (Refugee, Patelscope, etc) but its real
passion is classical music. If you want to know Bowli from Bilahari and
Tyagaraja from Shashank log on.
-Sonia
Faleiro
Hot
Track
The Attitude Thing
If
the Spice Girls were to ask her what she really really wants, you can
almost bet Ellie Campbell will have a ready answer. The Girls sang, "If
you wanna be my lover, you have got to give ..." Well, Campbell spends
her entire debut album (she's released a few singles so far) treating
the men in her life to remarks like "you're no good" and "I
don't want you back", topping it off with, "I don't need permission
to live my life/I don't wanna be owned ..." And she does it through
a collection of pure, unpretentious, unapologetic pop. So when the British
press gleefully describes her as "Britain's answer to Britney Spears",
don't dismiss the comment as affectionate indulgence. Every single number
on Side 1-it's a downhill slide from there-will have you nodding in agreement.
And we mean Don't want you back, You're no good, Suspicion, So many ways,
Sweet lies ... Let's hope this raw girl power isn't peddled solely through
a crass yet catchy image. She'd do well to stick to good music.
-Anna
M.M. Vetticad
ARRIVALS
Rabba Yaar Se Mila De
Sayed Sabri and Farid Sabri display their versatility. Good score
by Nikhil Vinay.
Disco
Nights
Los Del Rio, La Bouche and Boney M 2000, all on one album. Dance the
night away.
Dil Le
Gaya Ajnabee
Samir Yagnik's debut album with Alka Yagnik. Another round of love
songs.
Pyar
Hai
A compilation of love songs. Artistes include Hariharan, Adnan Sami.
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