A jugalbandhi concert refers to a performance by two lead artistes. In a typical jugalbandhi concert the two artistes take turns to present their individual pieces and then collaborate to present a piece together. Here are some examples of jugalbandhi concerts – vocal and instrumental. Ravi Shankar (sitar) & Ali Akbar Khan (sarod) Balamuralikrishna (carnatic vocal) & Kishori Amonkar (hindustani vocal) Trichur Brothers (carnatic vocal) … Continue reading Jugalbandhi Concert
You will reap wholesome fruits if you sow a pure seed. He, who speaks sweet honeyed words, puts his body to good work and has a mind as pure as Ganga, relieves you of your sorrows and agony on casting a look at him. source:Tukaram’s abhangs translated to English Vittala Vittala! The words reverberate in the air. There is a huge procession of  pilgrims chanting these words. … Continue reading Abhangs – Music of the Bhakthi saints
A jugalbandhi refers to a concert where two musicians perform together and present different styles of Indian music. After the Bollywood hit number Kajra re from the movie Bunty aur Babli the episode begins with a Carnatic-Hindustani jugalbandhi vocal concert by M.Balamuralikrishna and Kishori Amonkar. There are several melodies or ragas that are common to both Hindustani and Carnatic music. The ragas carry the same musical notes yet their presentation style is … Continue reading RaagTime Episode 6 – Jugalbandhi
Pantuvarali is a very popular raga in Carnatic music. This raga is also known as Kamavardhini and Kashi Ramakriya in the Dikshithar school. Tyagaraja has composed many songs in this raga. Some of my favourites are Siva Siva Ena Radha, Aparama Bhakthi, Ninne Nera and Shambho Mahadeva. Muthuswamy Dikshithar’s Ramanathan Bhajeham is a slow-paced song while Bhadrachala Ramdas’s Enna Ganu Rama Bhajana is an eternal favourite with listeners. Here is … Continue reading Pantuvarali – Raga Ruminations
“Just the main temple in this area.” Our driver nodded and without a word took the road towards the Banke Bihari temple in  Vrindavan.We’re on our way to Agra from Delhi on a wintry morning when I decide to take a short detour.  The fog has considerably slowed down our progress and the driver is tempted to step on the gas so that we reach the temple before it closes in … Continue reading Mharo Pranam to Banke Bihari
Chitra Srikrishna 