Culture
Four Pt Jasraj Tracks For Janmashtami
Krishna
There is no way to put a number on it, but if there was one, then it would be clear that the event most celebrated in Hindustani classical music is the birth of Krishna. In recent years, one artist who has been identified most with pieces based on Krishna has been Pt Jasraj.
A self-confessed Krishna devotee, Pt Jasraj’s odes to Krishna are popular both over the internet and during his live concerts. From short pieces to hour-long ones; from ones based on early morning ragas like Ahir Bhairav to ones based on night-time ragas like Yaman and Bageshri, Panditji has sung Krishna in perhaps as many ways and forms that he could.
Given below are four of his most popular pieces celebrating the birth of Krishna and/or his bal leela. Plug in your earphones preferably, and yes, a very happy Janmashtami to your family and you!
1. Aaj to Anand (Ahir Bhairav):
This piece in Ahir Bhairav, celebrates the birth of Krishna as the coming of the Supreme Power in the house of Nand. In the clip given below, joining Pt Jasraj in its recital is the legendary flautist Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia.
2. Rani Tero Chir Jiyo Gopal (Yaman)
May your son live long ( O Yashoda) This verse of Surdas, rendered in the serenest of ragas, Yaman, is amongst the relatively more popular pieces of Pt Jasraj.
With the rhythmic cycle resting on “Gopal”, and with its notation, this piece is as much an exploration of Yaman as a reflection on Krishna the infant.
Vraje Vasantam (Kafi):
Krishna, the one who resides in Vraj, the one who steals butter, why, the one who is the leader of thieves, is worshipped through the evocative Kafi in this piece.
Govindam Gokulanandam-Om Namo Bhagvate (Bhimpalasi):
It is only fitting that a list of Pt Jasraj’s pieces on Krishna includes this one. This is, by some distance, the most popular composition of Pt Jasraj. The alliterate verses and the majesty of Bhimpalasi merge seamlessly with the spirit of bhakti inherent in the piece. The result is something best experienced not by reading but by clicking on the play button below.
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