Megh & Malhaar/ Various - Hindustani classical




By Narendra Kusnur

Album: Megh & Malhaar
Artiste: Pandit Jasraj, Rashid Khan, Ronu Majumdar
Genre: Hindustani classical
Label: Sagarika
Rating: ****

A few compositions are said to bring rains, or act like perfect company during this season. So what better than some monsoon raags?

 Megh & Malhaar, released last year, is just the ideal compilation for such weather. It's got three artistes – the legendary maestro Pandit Jasraj, popular vocalist Rashid Khan and ace flautist Ronu Majumdar.

The five pieces chosen are short and melodious, making them accessible even to those new to Hindustani classical music. First in the order is Jasraj’s drut (fast) composition ‘Baadar barsaave barsaat bahuteri aali’, sung in raag Gaud Malhaar, which mixes elements of raags Malhaar and Gaud.

A representative of the Mewati gharana, Jasraj has a highly melodious voice and immaculate control over his phrasing. Vijay Ghate accompanies him on the 12-beat ektaal, and Kala Ramnath provides violin support.

With the same team, Jasraj also presents the rarely-sung raag Charju Ki Malhaar, where writer Nayak Charju begins with the words “Chaturbhuj jhulat shaam hindore.” This is played in the 16-beat teentaal.

 Majumdar, one of the leading flautists on the scene, begins with raag Megh, where he follows an alaap with a drut composition in teentaal. Ramkumar Mishra accompanies him on tabla, and Ajay Pingle provides bansuri support.

The flautist comes up with a beauty in the Sawani kajri, a light classical piece from Uttar Pradesh played in thumri style and set in the six-beat dadra taal. The coordination between Majumdar and tabla player Mishra is brilliant on this melodious masterpiece.

With his technical wizardry, Rashid Khan concludes this compilation with raag Megh composition ‘Garaje ghata ghan’, set in the 10-beat jhaptaal. Tabla exponent Samar Saha and sarangi exponent Murad Ali show perfection.

Overall, this is a very appropriate choice for the season. With some steaming chai and pakodas, it’s perfect.


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