Album Notes: In India, voice has been considered the principal instrument since ancient times. Khayal, meaning "imagination," is an improvisational art form that originated in the Mughal courts in the 18th century, and is the predominant classical genre of vocal music today. It involves a slow and gradual unfolding of a raga through one or more compositions, over several movements of increasing melodic range and complexity, moving from a relaxed pace to faster rhythmic cycles.
The first raga Salagvarali is of recent vintage, and is a creation of Pt. S.N. Ratanjankar. It is a slow and deep morning raga that starts off with a short introductory alap, and a leisurely Khayal in a slow rhythmic cycle of 12 beats (vilambit ektal). It slowly gathers momentum and works its way towards a climax with a drut bandish in teental (16 beat cycle) as the sun rises fully in the sky.
The next raga Audav Bageshree is a lighter, more romantic, night raga that is a counter-point to the first. It starts in a languid but medium-paced 10 beat cycle (jhaptal) and describes how the birds and animals, and even the moon in the sky, are charmed by the sound of Krishna's flute in the night air. The second bandish in a fast tempo 12 beat cycle (drut ektal), describes the plight of a young woman pleading with her beloved to end their quarrel and come home, presumably to enjoy the moonlight together.
Srivani Jade (vocals), Bharath Hegde (harmonium), Rajendra Nakod (tabla). Recorded at Ananya Studios, Bangalore, 2011.
Meera's Love nominated for Best Album in World Traditional category at the 10th IMA Awards.
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 of composer/vocalist Srivani Jade. Recorded at Jack Straw Studios, Seattle, 2009.
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.
Srivani Jade (Vocals), Annie Penta (Tanpura), Mausam (Harmonium), Manoj Biswas (Tabla). Recorded at Tinderbox Productions, Seattle, 2008.