| | | Album Notes: A few years ago, I chanced
upon a book on the life of Meera Bai, a princess and devotee of
Krishna, from 16th century Rajasthan (India). I was familiar with her
poetry and her life story already, but this particular hagiography
created a lasting impression on me. I realized that she was a woman far
beyond her times, a woman who had the strength of conviction to take on
the royal household and the social mores of her day, and finally...and
here is where I made the strongest connection...a woman passionately in
love.
Her songs are simultaneously spiritual and emotional,
physical and philosophical, and filled with an almost child-like
innocence. Above all, her songs are about love in all its wondrous
colors. As I read her poetry over several nights, the melodies came to
me naturally for the most part and settled into various raagas (melodic
modes) and taals (rhythms) from the classical and folk repertoire of
North India. What you will hear in this album is a collection of these
love songs, inspired by the love of Meera and everyone who has touched
my life over the years.
Satish Gadagkar on the violin, Mohan
Bhide on the harmonium, Kuntal Roy on the tabla and Daibashish
Gangopadhyay on the tanpura provide accompaniment and create a
wonderful ambience for the singing voice.
-Srivani Jade (Composer/ Vocals)
Album Notes: Khayal is arguably the most
popular style of North Indian classical music today. Khayal, meaning
"imagination", is an improvisational art form that originated in the
Mughal courts, and is at least a few hundred years old now. It involves
a slow and gradual unfolding of a Raaga through one or more
compositions, over several movements of increasing melodic range and
complexity, moving from a relaxed pace to faster rhythmic cycles.
In her debut Khayal album "Bhoopali", Srivani explores in a leisurely manner through Tracks 1 and 2, the pentatonic evening melody Raaga Bhoopali, and builds up to a climax in the rhythm-focused Tarana in Track 3.
Track 4 is a lovely Kajri song that describes the
longing of a maiden for her lover as the black monsoon clouds gather in
the summer sky.
The Maand in Track 5 is inspired by the music of the
deserts of Rajasthan, and paints a picture of mirth and revelry, as
Krishna and his friends enjoy the festival of colors.
Featured Artists: Srivani Jade (Vocals), Annie Penta (Tanpura), Mausam (Harmonium), Manoj Biswas (Tabla)
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