Shrine

Divine vocals, divine ragas

     

Held at the Queens Theatre in August 2003, Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty once again enthralled the London audience, with a presentation of Raga music, in his serene and melodious voice. Panditji is one of the most well known singers of India. His expanded knowledge of Indian music is clearly heard through his wide repotoire of music ranging from Raga music, through to Bhajans and film music. After his initial training under his father Mr Ajit Chakrabarty, Panditji trained with one of the most knowledgeable and charismatic masters of his time - Pandit Gnan Prakash Ghosh. The impact of this training can be clearly recognised through his solid understanding of laya and rhythm, and through his demonstration of expertise in all forms of Indian vocal music. He studied for several years with Ustad Munawar Ali Khan, an exponent of the legendary Patiala gharana, known to all by Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. He was the first elected Fellow to receive a gold medal from the Sangeet Research Academy, Calcutta, a premier music institution of India devoted to the promotion of classical music in India and abroad. Ajoyji joined as a Scholar but was in a few years assigned the rank of Guru and member of the Expert Committee, in recognition of his extraordinary expertise in the field of music. He has made Raga music universal to all, through his devotion to the subject as well as the expression of human emotions through his mefluoous voice. He was the first Indian Classical Vocalist who was invited to perform in Pakistan. As his musical genius prompts him to respect and cultivate all kinds of good music he has been proving his unique excellence in various genres of Indian music. Hence he received the President's Award for the best male playback singer in the 37th National Film Festival 1990 and many other State Awards. The mission to which Panditji has addressed himself is illustrated through his institution - Shrutinandan. This school has been designed for imparting practical knowledge of the basics of vocal music to musically gifted children in order that they may realize their potentialities as worthy artistes by adapting themselves to further training and thus carry on this beautiful vocal tradition. It is meant for musically talented children and genuine music lovers from all sections of society, and does not address itself to an elitist patronage. Here people with genuine interest in music will be educated to appreciate Indian Classical Music. CD 1 Raga Kalyan - Khayal (track 1-2) Lyric (Hindi) Translation: Nothing is possible by human being in this World. Without the mercy of the Almighty nothing can be done. Oh, Shankara Mahadeva kindly appear before me I cannot hold my peace even for a moment without seeing your holy feet. I always seek your protection. You please console me. I am in great trouble. Thumri This musical style often portrays the various romantic episodes from the lives of the divine lovers Lord Krishna and Radha. Translation: Please do not tease me now Oh Shyam. I eagerly await your charming presences. The heart of all the women of Brij ache without seeing you - this is the earnest request of all of them. Bhajan Translation: Oh dear friend my eyes are stuck. I am possessed with your charm. My heart is sore. I keep staring in your direction from my home. How can I live without my most beloved as he is at the root of my being. Meera is sold to Lord Krishna Giridhari but people think that she is mad. sanskrit verse:- Oh lord Krishna, you are the ocean of mercy, friend of the poor, lord of the Universe, king of the milk-men and beloved of the milkmaids. I bow to you oh lord of Radha. Oh Srikrishna, Oh Govinda , Oh Hari, Oh murari, Oh lord , Oh narayana , Oh Vasudeva. I bow down to you Oh Krishna. I offer myself to you Oh Lord Vasudeva. Please accept me. For this performance Ajoyji was accompanied by tabla player, Yogesh Samsi, son of the renowned vocalist Dinkar Kaikini. Yogesh is a highly respected artist of the younger generation and one of the foremost disciples of the late tabla virtuoso Ustad Alla Rakha Khan. He is known in the world of Indian music, as one of the most sensitive accompanists, demonstrating both an understanding of vocal music and virtuosic tabla skills. Sri Chiranjib Chakrabarty accompanied Ajoyji on the Harmonium. Chiranjib is an Indian vocal singer himself, having trained under Pandit Arun Bhaduri at the Sangeet Research Academy. He has performed and accompanied both in India and the UK, and has established himself as a singer and respected teacher in the UK. Sarwar E-Alam accompanied Ajoyji on the tanpura. He is a vocal student of Panditji in the UK. Ranjana Ghatak & John Ball