Likhati » Kumar Gandharva

Introducing Yourself to Indian Classical Music 6-Voices

Sat, 27 Mar 2010 18:35:25 +0000

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

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Ud Jayega Hans Akela

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:30:15 +0000

A childhood favourite, a Kabir bhajan sung by Kumar Gandharva, which has been very popular. Was really happy to find the text online recently. KG’s unmatched rendition follows below.

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

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Introducing Yourself to Indian Classical Music 6-Voices Gandharvas are spirits of nature, with extraordinary musical skills. One...

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On Mukul Shivputra

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:43:04 +0000

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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Kumar Gandharva-Bhoopali

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:42:57 +0000

Bhoopali or Bhoop is one of those Ragas that I can never tire of-though it may be considered done to death. It is an essential tonic for the soul. No wonder it’s called Mohanam in the South-an apt name for it.

Here is Kumar Gandharva singing a bandish (composition), Mora Jhanjh Mandilara, in Bhoopali, in his own inimitable way (click the play button on the player on the top-right hand side of the site). It is sung in Madhyalaya (medium tempo), teental.

When he sings the line “gunisab gaave raas…naachat kaanh kanhaiya“, my heart just skips …You have to wait for it of course-but there is always pleasure in the approach to the high note!

Raga: Bhupali, Tala: Teentala
Thaat: Kalyan

Sthayi : Mora Jhanj Mandilara Bajilara
Antara : Ja Teri Kaaran Rahat Mandilara
Nachat Aawey Kanhaiya
Ananda Karey Sab Loga

Gist : The drums that have been silent so long are playing today at my house, because Krishna is finally coming, dancing all the way, to the great joy of all!

http://www.itcsra.org/sra_raga/sra_raga_that/sra_raga_that_links/popup/bandish.asp?songid=121&ragaid=53

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Some Komkalis

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:11:25 +0000

I WISH this man would sing more often. The video is a flash of Deshkar. The legendary Kumar Gandharva’s son, Mukul Shivputra shines with his own brilliance. He learned Carnatic music for a year under MD Ramanthan. He is known to have phenomenal breath control, to wander around India, never staying in one place for any length of time, learning as he goes along…

I have his cd Bhanumatey, which shakes one to the core, just like his father’s music used to. It is different, but with the same capacity to shoot arrows straight to the centre of one’s soul.

Here is one profile on him.

Mukul Shivputra has a son, Bhuvanesh Komkali, trained by Vasundhara Komkali and Madhup Mudgal.

Here he is, singing Ab To Aa Ja Re Rajan, a bandish in Raga Nand, that his grandfather used to sing.

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