Surinder Singh comments : What great piece on Bhairavi and what great appendices. I am from Lucknow and never knew the story of Kaiserbagh Baradari. I wish I had known, I could have seen it from a different eye. Million thanks to Rajan Parrikar. I am in gratitude.
Raj comments : A question/request: I've heard a lot of great things about a vocalist named Smt. SHANTI SHARMA. I was wondering if anyone had any info regarding recordings of hers, for I live in Toronto. If Mr. Parrikar has any recordings of hers, I wouldn't mind hearing her. What I've heard so far is that she is one of the best vocalists around...I just want to see for myself and I'm sure others would too. Thanks!
Shekhar Patke comments : I can not believe that this incredible musical journey is coming to an end.I have ,for the past two years, eagerly awaited every piece by Rajan.And every time I felt that the waiting was worth it.Rajan has managed to give us ,thro' this wonderful modern medium,a rare and very educating glimpse of paradise.It has been a treat listening to these musical pieces while sitting in my study at home,overlooking the picturesque Ohariu valley of Wellington,NZ.I am but only a kansen and I can not thank enough for this wonderful gift given by Rajan and SAWF.I would like to urge you wonderful folks to please,please continue this work and never stop!
Dr.K.P.Paranjape comments : Dear Mr.Parrikar, Many thanks for writing such informative articles. I was thoroughly impressed by the masterful & expert selection of excerpts of musical renderings of yesteryears which are hard to listen to nowadays.I am interested in reading Hindustani Sangeet Padhdhati by Pt.V.N.Bhatkhande. Can you please help me?
Sunder Hattangadi comments : Fit to be another national treasure! Thank you.
Gratefully,
Eyton J. Shalom comments : superb article, marred only by the comment regarding the "childish fad" of americans appreciating the rhythmic complexities of african and indonesian music. well gamelan is intoxicating and african rhythms are complex. it is puerile chauvanism based on an indian inferiority complex that drives someone to make such an annoying comparison between the composers who adapted om khulsum to indian movie music and modern american appreciation of african and asian music. sheer indian racism. all americans are not stupid, though you obviously wish they were. you should delete this offensive paragraph, as also the vulgar comments on ali akhbar khan.
The author responds: Dear Shri Shalom: Thank you for your remarks. I find it curious that you refer to my comments on American fads as "Indian racism." Consider this: Americans, indeed Westerners, have for decades had opinions on virtually every aspect of India and Indians. American stand-up comics, American journalists, American academics, Hollywood and so on have arrogated to themselves the supreme privilege of opining with gay abandon on all peoples around the globe. Now that the Indian has learnt to give back a dose of the same medicine you call it racism. Why ply these double standards? If 'you' can do it why can't 'I'? After all, what is sauce for the goose ought to be sauce for the gander. And by the way, I do not believe all Americans are stupid - look what a beautiful country Americans have built for themselves!
Warm regards,
Rajan P. Parrikar
Anita Dedgaonkar comments : This is one of the BEST sites I have seen on any raag. Thank you so much for taking the time/effort to do this. It has given me a better understanding of the Raag Bhairavi. I hope you continue doing this and I will continue to look forward to many more such articles Regards Anita
The site made by you is a great service..nay a yeoman service to many hindustani classical music afficianados like me....such insights into the raags..there exponents...brilliant..kudos to u..Sir...Thanks again.. Can the recordings be downloaded..for personal consumption only?
Shubhen
Naheed Nawa comments : I have been looking for Darbari rag and cannot find it at your website. I think it is related to Bhairaveen, but could not find it. I am sure you have it somewhere. Can you guide me where to look for it? will be grateful. It is an awesome site for Classical music CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING US WITH SUCH A TREASURE. NAHEED
Darbari is treated in the article entitled "The Kanada Constellation." - SAWF
Appreciate your hard work, and your articles are really useful for students and connoisseurs alike. But I do see a clear pattern of provincialism and a display of favoritism in your article that many may find offensive. My daughter is growing up in America and an advanced student of Hindustani Classical music - she particularly finds your comments about Bengalis ("Bongs" as you call them), Americans, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, etc. quite offensive. Also, these offensive comments are made not necessarily because you have a strong point (musically) to make, but it seems you just have the urge to make those. At least you spared Tagore, Ravi Shankar, Kishore Kumar, SD Burman, RD Burman, Anil Biswas in spite of their "Bong" race. Mr. Parrikar, focus on the music and you'll do just fine. If you want to take on a particular musician or his style, that's okay too - but please refrain from "racial" comments. Otherwise, you are doing a great job, keep it up!!
The author responds: Dear Shri Dutta: Thank you for your remarks. I have three comments to offer: 1) Bengalis do not constitute a "race." 2) I haven't spared Rabby Tags. 3) Laughing at oneself is good for one's health. Regards, Rajan P. Parrikar
Thanks for your comments. Personally, I enjoy reading your stuff, and know that most of it is written in good humour. Another thing I would like to see is your comments on Pandit Jasraj, Girija Devi, Ajay Chakraborty and Rashid Khan. Although you cover Rashid's Gharana well, he does have a very distinct style like the other artists mentioned above. Good or bad, please feel free to comment.
Regards,
Koushik Dutta
Vijay Tandon comments : I am so glad to have found this website just few days ago while searching on Google. My heart-full thanks go to all those who have made this website possible and in arranging such a delight-full buffet of different Ragas and various rendering done by different Sangeetkar. I got hooked immediately and started feasting happily, filling my senses with variety audio clips and associated wonderful comments. All the time I was praising the hard work which must have gone in making this site so rich and testful. Naturally I reached Bhairavi for desert, so to say, such a sweet melody and beatiful renderings, just like having sweet kheer at the end of buffet.... but wait..., what is this, there were some small pieces of kankar mixed with this kheer. It spoiled my test in mouth for a few moments till I got it out. Mr. Parrikar, I presume, did you have to spoil the Rasik Kheer by adding your personal negative remarks about a great sankeetkar. No one is perfect. With all the wonderful knowledge of Hindustani Sangeet in your mind must you mention vulgar terms and negative comments on this site. There are so many different internet Forums you can join and write in if you must do so. Please let this site be for the pure music and decent positive remarks about our Hundustani Ragas and sangeetkar who have worshiped them for their entire lives. I was just wondering who played the beautifull melody on Sarod in SEEMA (1955), suno chhoTi si - With All Due Respect Vijay Tandon
Chandvankar Suresh comments : Babul Mora song is now 150 years old. I am in the process of making a compressive list of available recordings of this song and collect all such recordings for preservation and documentation purpose. Any help and suggestions are welcome.
- suresh chandvankar
IQBAL HABIB comments : enthralled,entranched to hear bharvi and read your comments. at 72 years and in Tucson AZ I have gone back to the 1950's Ustad Asad Aki Khan used to have his mehfil in my house in karachi.
Manik Bali comments : Dear Parrikar Wonderfull website and informative. But there is a small error in the picture of Pundit V N Bhatkhande along with others. The name of the person mentioned as Uma nath bali is wrong. He is Dr Rai Rajeshwar Bali the Taluqdar of Daryabad who had invited Pundit V N Bhatkhande to lay the foundation of Merris College at that time. I would appreciate if you could correc the name in the picture. In case you need any further documentation or proofs regarding this let me know. Manik Bali Grandson of Dr Rai Rajeshwar Bali Hamburg Germany
Shobha Sen comments : Since Rai Rajeshwar Bali died relatively young, his grandson, Manik Bali, obviously did not get to see him. But surely he has seen his photographs. The person in the picture with Pandit Bhatkhande and others is indeed Rai Uma Nath Bali.
Manik Bali comments : Who the hell are you to tell me that I cannot identify my own grandfather. The information given in the article related to the picture in question is wrong. You can be taken to court.
Shobha Sen comments : Court??? For what? For correcting you? So, sue me!! Your grandfather was a great man. Pity that you are a cretin.
Manik Bali comments : Mr Shobha You are the funniest joke of this century. Were you alive at the time of my grand father. Who are you. You have not even authord this article. What makes you so possessive about this picture. Come out in the open and show your self. Why are you hiding..
The author responds: Manik Bali, I strive for accuracy. However, until I have independent confirmation the caption will stand as it is now. The picture with the caption was taken from Susheela Mishra's book, if I correctly recall. Note that this matter is a very minor aspect of the article. Please don't post anymore on this topic here.
Rajan P. Parrikar
Srimathy comments : Very nice and informative article...
Pradeep Krishnamurthy comments : A very nice description of Bhairavi indeed!! But no description of Bhairavi is complete without a reference to any of Ustad Vilayat Khan's masterpieces. Is there a specific reason as to why he is not alluded to ? Regards, Pradeep
Margaurite Buivids comments : Fabulous site.Divine music. Interesting information and photos. BUT sarcastic and unnecessary remarks?? Why the need for vitriol?? Best to keep your personal negative agenda to yourself as it doesn't enhance your brilliant effort.
Mona Ranjan comments : Excellent article very informative.I am looking for the complete song audio or video of rafi'ji suno suno o duniyawalon bapu ki yeh amar kahani. if anyone has it or knows where i can get it.please contact me
Kudos... Just amazing. I feel very lucky for having found this Article. I would prefer to call me a very humble beginner and would look forward to your blessings and guidance. I am 27 now and after listening to the audio clips..... I dont know I some how associate to this form of music and feel very nostalgic... I dont know of what but very abstract. Offlate wanted to move ahead in Indian Classical but thought its too late now...But am very sure of taking the next step now. I will probably comprehend more precisely once I get my basics well. Thanks a ton and would request you to kindly acknowledge this post ... as I do not see the latest posts.
This is Joita, daughter of Smt. Kamala Bose (senior disciple of Guruji, Pt. RamAsrey Jhaji). I sincerely wanted to Congratulate you and also Thank you for uploading such wonderful articles on Guruji!! I myself am a research scholar from the Allahabad University, and my topic of research is "Vaggeyakara, Pt.RamAsrey Jhaji ke Bandishon par Addhyan". Since you have done tremendous work on Guruji for years, by your permission, I would like to give your name in my Research. I have been hearing a lot about you from my mother.
Thank you once again, With warm regards and pranam, Joita
Sayan Sarkar comments : Sir, your article on Bhairavi is wonderful. I think you should also include in this article Lalmani Mishra's Vichitra Veena's recital,Brij Bhushan Kabra's and Shiv Kumar Sharma's jugalbandi,(no matter how much you offend the Bengalis) Baajlo tomar aalor benu(composed by Pankaj Mullick) and Rabindranath Tagore's Aaloker ei jharnadharaye dhuie dao and his other songs which have a touch of Raag Bhairavi.
Iqbal Habib comments : i am enthraled that i list to this site many many times. it is superb . at 76 years in USA i feel i am in my home town Poona in hte forties.
