THIS IS A RARE AND USED ITEM. IT IS NOT MANUFACTURED ANYMORE. NO RETURNS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

True to our forecast, Bhimsen Joshi has risen to new heights since the release of his last L.P. and today he stands firm on the pinnacle of Indian classical music. This disc – sixth in his series – will bear out that he has been constantly improving upon his previous performances and it is a sensational and pleasant experience to discover a new Bhimsen Joshi in this disc. Listeners will come under the hypnotic spell of his melodious voice and will wonder at the amazing flexibility and range of his voice and unbelievable control over his breath. This record is a masterpiece in rare and rich art and as such will be a coveted treasure to discerning listeners.

Side One

 Chhaya and Chhaya-Malhar

 This side opens with the notes of Raga – Chhaya which is derived from the Kalyan That and is usually rendered during the first part of the night. The song ‘Tan Man Dhan Sab’ is confined to a rhythm of ten beats called Jhaptaal The medium tempo affords the maestro a very good scope to develop the Raga picture with meticulous care in all its beautiful phases and shades. The flexibility and amazingly long range of his voice, come into full play during the masterly exposition. Listeners will be thrilled and held spellbound at some of the passages for their sheer beauty of concept, design and execution.

 The fast composition that follows in Teentaal is a very happy admixture of Chhaya and Malhar. The blend is so perfectly divine that an artiste of the height and calibre of Bhimsen Joshi alone could aspire to wield it in such a pleasant style.

Side Two

 Darbari-Kanada and Suha-Kanada

 This is a majestic Raga usually expounded towards midnight. It is said that Miyan Tansen composed and sang Raga Kanada in the Darbar of Emperor Akbhar in a new style. It had a tremendous impact on listeners and from then onwards it came to be known as Darbari Kanada. The third, sixth and the seventh notes are flats. Pandit Bhimsen Joshi renders a slow moving composition ‘Aur naheen Kachhu Kam Ke’ confined to Ektaal. – a cycle of twelve beats. He gives a leisurely and elaborate treatment to the development of the Raga in a very systematic and artistic way, unfolding the grandeur of the Raga with slow moving note-phrases of ingenious designs and patterns. Towards the latter half of the exposition, he displays his vigour and prowess in the execution of Taans – intricate and expansive – in a faultless style. He then switches over to a composition confined to the same cycle of 12 beats but very fast moving in Raga – Suha. This is a sub-melody of the Kanada variety and it omits the sixth note Dhaivata from exposition, thus giving it a distinctive character from Darbari Kanada. This composition is dedicated Emperor Mohammad Shah, Bhimsen Joshi excels in putting over a superb performance studded with picturesque taans and brought to a perfect and most satisfying finish.

Artists:

Pandit Bhimsen Joshi (Vocal), Thakurdas (Harmonium), C Kamat (Tabla)

Tracks:

Side 1

Raga Chhaya            Vilambit Jhaptaal          - Tan Man Dhan Sab Sab Unhi Par Var

Raga Chhaya-Malhar       Drut Teentaal        - Sakhi Shyam Nahi Aaye

Side 2

Raga Darbari Kanada        Vilambit Ektaal        - Aur Nahi Kachhu Kamke

Raga Suha Kanada         Drut Ektaal         - Tu Hai Mohamadsha