On Mukul Shivputra
2009 June 2
An article on one of my favourite musicians, who sings rarely and spends most of his time wandering the country:
It’s not easy being Kumar Gandharva’s son, even if you are a Mukul Shivputra
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Thanks for this article .. he is one of my favourites too.. i so wish he would sing more…
I had read about him begging in Bhopal a few weeks ago and was most distressed. I do hope he finds some peace and stability. His singing is awesome.
Thanks for this piece. I am not so knowleadgeable about music. I have heard Kabir Bhajans by Kumar Gandharv. I find his voice has an ancient primeval quality. Didn’t know about his son. This magazine piece has made me want to listen to Mukul Shivputra. I hope music stores have his CDs.
Best wishes,
Anjali
Anjali, I would recommend the cd “Bhanumatey” and there is an album with a superb Tilak Kamod
The Tilak Kamod is part of “Eesha”, his first commercial release. Mukul has recently released his 5th album – Live in Mumbai, which has Raag Jaijaiwanti and a superb 15 min Kedar paramparik bandish.
I have been fascinated by Mukul’s singing for the past few years and keep yearning for more albums from him. My heart sank when I heard of his recent condition and other related stories. I wish he finds the space in life where he can sing the way he wants to.
I have one query and hope you can help me with this. The bandish ‘Gori tore sajal naina’ has been sung by both Kumarji as well as Mukul. The former is recorded in the album ‘Surmanjiri’ and is listed as Raag Patmanjiri (it is sung in Teetaal there). The same one is sung by Mukul in the album ‘Nirala’ and there it is listed (wrongly, in my opinion) as Marubihag sung in Adha Teentaal. They are right about the taal but wrong about the raag. Am I right in my thinking?
Regards,
Pushkaraj Apte
Dear Pushkaraj,
the “sajal naina” composition is an original one by kumarji and is in raag patmanjari, albeit a patmanjari of the kalyan ang [see the swarganga website]. In mukul’s interpretation, each of the five raags that comprise kumarji’s patmanjari are sequentially explored – these are maru bihag, nand, kedar, (alhaiya) bilawal and shankara.
Smit, thank you for this-have left a comment on Mr Apte’s blog so that he sees this note of yours.
Thanks Smit!
Although I admit it will take me some time (and a lot of careful listening) to understand the full gravity of your reply. Currently, I am engrossed in listening to one single bandish in Nand (Dhoondhoo bare saiyaa, of course. What else!) by 5 different singers and relishing the nuances brought forth by each one. Shall return to exploring the Patmanjiri once I am out of the nand trance!
@ Uttara – Thanks for the update you posted on my blog. I had relegated this query of mine to the attic of my memory.
Pushkaraj, I have no idea, but I will try and find out and email you.
http://www.kabirproject.org/
For more on Kumar Gandharv , Kabir , or that Unknown Listener beyond all galaxies, Please get hold of these 4 Videos.Reasonably priced , They are a wonderful addition to your library and understanding.
Anyone here interested in watching short clips of KG’s Chamber music videos ? Let me know.I can upload a few interesting clips.
Youtube also gives you an assortment of KGs live Music , on short Videos.
Hey, gysss plz tell me, that, were is pt mukul shivaputraaaa????
What happn again??