Spring or Basant in India, the season of regeneration and rejuvenation, is a major celebration among Hindus. Basant Panchami or the fifth day of the onset of spring, is observed with propitiatory rituals by Hindus and Sikhs. The syncretic nature of the celebrations is also evident in the Sufi tradition. Along with raag Basant, one can also hear strains of raag Bahaar at Sufi dargahs. The famous composition Sakal ban phool rahi sarson describes the mustard flowers seen across fields in Northern India during this time of the year.
This short documentary film describes the Basant celebration at Sufi dargahs and also includes a rendition of this composition.
The next track features maestro Bhimsen Joshi singing a drut or fast tempo composition in raag Bahar set to the 16-count Teentaal.
This is followed by an elaborate rendition of the same raag, Bahar, on the violin. Scholar-musician Gajananrao Joshi, a vocalist pursuing the Gwalior, Agra and Jaipur-Atrauli styles and a pioneering violinist, plays a composition in the ten matra Jhaptaal. The gayaki ang or vocal style is very evident in this presentation. Cross-rhythms are also employed in the faster sections. Tabla accompaniment is provided by tabla player Shripad Nageshkar.
Roshanara Begum, the Kirana gharana vocalist who migrated to Pakistan, sings a vilambit or slow composition in raag Bahar set to the 12-matra Ektaal. The song-text describes spring, the season that brings with it new flora. Note the quick and short turn of phrase that is a hallmark of Roshanara Begum’s singing.
First appeared in www.scroll.in on February 7, 2015.
Write a comment ...