रंग ना डालो शामजी गोरी पे Ranga Na Daalo/Daaro Shyaamji

पेहरी नयी रे नयी सारी Pehri Nayi Re Nayi Saari

सखी सहेल हसत रे देई गारी Sakhi Sahel Hasat Re Deyi Gaari

कैसे हो खिलाडी मानत नाही Kaise Ho Khilaadi Maanat Nahi

बरजोरी न कर जावो मै तो हारी Barjori Na Kar Jaavo Main toh Haari

Lyrics credit: Tejaswi here

Related Posts:

• Ab to Aaja Re Rajan
• Introducing Yourself to Indian Classical Music 6-Voices
• Ud Jayega Hans Akela
• On Mukul Shivputra
• Kumar Gandharva-Bhoopali

Thir na rahat kajraa

Aakhan mein rajan

(Piya) Ab na sahu re

Chhab tori aa gayi

Aakhan mein rajan

Ab to aaja re

Related Posts:

• Some Komkalis
• Rang Na Daaro
• Introducing Yourself to Indian Classical Music 6-Voices
• Ud Jayega Hans Akela
• On Mukul Shivputra

Gandharvas are spirits of nature, with extraordinary musical skills. One such belonged to the world of humans- the legendary Kumar Gandharva (born Shivaputra Siddharamaiyya Komkali).

Suddenly the voice would soar, the arms would create arcs in the air, a word would be energetically emphasised, and the music would stab you in the heart.

With a distinctive voice, and a unique style of presentation, Kumar Gandharva caused some controversy, though even critics admired his musical genius. Compare the clips here with those of Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur in the first post, or with those of the popular Pandit Jasraj or Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and his difference will jump out.

Kumar Gandharva spent a lot of time studying folk music, especially that of central India and this influenced his music greatly. He was also a composer-setting his own words to music. He was famous for his renditions of the poems of Kabir.

Note: It’s a good idea to turn up the volume slightly when listening to the clips, in order to hear all the inflections of the voice.

The video below is a recording of his own composition Mangal Din Aaj in the raga Malawati-also his own creation. (7:10mins).

Good for when one is hurting or in need of a little tlc. The line Aanand man-bharaa at around 1:16 is achingly beautiful.

Mangal din aaj, Banna ghar aayo
Aanand man-bharaa, baanwari bhayi mai to

Banna ra mukh dekhan sahelyo mil aayo
Gaavan lagi geet, baanwari bhai mai to

Mangal din aaj…

Lyrics credit: Anandway.

One of the reasons for the distinctive voice was that Kumar Gandharva had to undergo lung surgery. He had to stop singing for some years-he was not allowed to sing a single note. But this gave him time to think about the music.

In an earlier post, mention was made of the word “gharana” that denotes musical lineage. It is difficult to slot Kumar Gandharva into any one particular lineage. He was a rebel, and took from the different musical traditions to create his own unique sound.

The clip below is of a composition on Shiva, Sira pe Dhari Gang in the Raga Shankara. Again, it is one of Kumar Gandharva’s own compositions. It is very short and never fails to give me goosebumps.

Note how he plays with the word Gang (Ganga).

Kumar Gandharva-Raga Shankara-Sira pe dhari gang
(2:34 mins)

Sira Pe Dhari Ganga
Kamara Mrug Chhala
Munda ki gala mala
Hatheli Soola Saaje
Pinaki Maha Gyani
Ajab Roop Dhaare
Dulat Dula Aave
Dimaru Dima baaje

Lyrics credit: Rajan Parrikar

I have a clip of Kumar Gandharva’s famous rendition of the Kabir bhajan Ud Jayega Hans Akela here.

Below is another beautiful song of Kabir, Ram Niranjan Nyara Re

Shabnam Virmani’s film on Kumar Gandharva and Kabir, Koi Sunta Hai, can be seen here. It is really worth taking the time out to see this film. At first I was simply lost in the wonderful translations of the Kabir songs (they are often translated very badly).

Kumar Gandharva’s Marathi songs are also immensely popular. He released an LP of songs (Mala Umajlele Balgandharva) of Bal Gandharva, famous actor, singer and theatre personality, who often played the role of a woman.

TO HEAR:
Raga Deshkar
aisan kaisA
Nain Ghat Ghatatan-Surdas Bhajan-accompanied by Vasundhara Komkali
Rajan ab to aaja re (Raga Nand)

Nirguni Bhajans:
Hirna Samajh Bhoojh-Kabir Bhajan
Ud Jayega Hans Akela
Aau Kalandar Kesava
Guruji Mhare Mhane Dar
Avdhoota Gagan Ghata-Kabir Bhajan

Marathi Songs:
Naath Ha Maaza
Mama Atma Gamala
Uthi uthi gopala (I love this one, though not the chorus in the background)
runanu bandhachya

To Buy
Sings Nirguni Bhajans.

Raga Malkauns (mp3)

Sangeet Sartaj Vol- 1& 2

Thaat Kalyan

The Best Of Kumar Gandharva

Pt. Kumar Gandharva Sings Nirgun Ke Gun

Raga Bhairav Ke Prakaar

Nirgun ke gun-pt.kumar gandharva

Maestro’s Choice – Kumar Gandharva

Pt Kumar Gandharva – Classical Vocal (MUSIC CD)

Pt. Kumar Gandharva – A Creative Genius (MUSIC CD)

The Best of Kumar Gandharva (Music CD) ( I recommend this one)

To Read:
A profile of Kumar Gandharva

Related Posts:

• Introducing Yourself to Indian Classical Music 13-What’s your frequency? The Tanpura/Tambura and finding your Sur, Shruti or Pitch
• Introducing Yourself to Indian Classical Music 12-The Saptaswaras in the South- the Carnatic notes
• Introducing Yourself to Indian Classical Music 11-Demonstrating the Srutis (Microtones) in Indian Classical Music
• Introducing Yourself to Indian Classical Music 9-The Saptaswaras or Saptak and What Lies in Between
• Introducing Yourself to Indian Classical Music 8-The Saptaswaras or Saptak and What Lies in Between

उड जायेगा हंस अकेला-2
जग दर्शन का मेला ।।धृ.।।

जैसे पात गिरे तरुवर के
मिलना बहुत दुहेला
न जानु किधर गिरेगा
लगया पवन का रेला।।

जब होवे उमर पूरी
जब छुटेगा हुकम हुजूरी
यम के दूत बडे मजबूत
यम से पडा झमेला ।।

दास कबीर हर के गुण गावे
वा हर को परन पावे
गुरु की करनी गुरु जायेगा
चेले की करनी चेला ।।

Lyrics courtesy rohinijanwadkar on youtube.

Ud Jayega

Related Posts:

• On Mukul Shivputra
• Kumar Gandharva-Bhoopali
• Some Komkalis
• Sira Pe Dhari Ganga
• Rang Na Daaro

Related Posts:

• Some Komkalis
• Ud Jayega Hans Akela
• Kumar Gandharva-Bhoopali
• Sira Pe Dhari Ganga
• Rang Na Daaro