Volume 6: 1989
Volume 6: 1989
Raga Records of New York has brought out three Indian Classical
Music cassettes by two outstanding musicians of India -- the late
Padmabhushan Nikhil Banerjee and Pandit Manilal Nag. An interesting
aspect of these cassettes is that they are reproduced from the
recordings of live concerts and hence they are free from studio
constraints.
In his extremely pleasing style, Pandit Nikhil Banerjee offers
three pieces - Raga Monomanjari, Raga Chandrakauns and Raga Khamaj.
Monomanjari is a Jod Raga (composite Raga) which is his own creation
and is a remarkable combination of two very popular melodies --
Kalavati and Marwa. Kalavati is a very joyful late night melody,
whereas Marwa is an early evening melody that portrays pathos.
In his rendering, one can feel a very delicate interweaving of
these two contrasting moods and a highly intellectual and emotional
appeal. Pandit Nikhil Banerjee presents Alap, Jod, Jhala and Gat
in Monomanjari. In the second cassette, he performs scintillating
Alaps in Chandrakauns and a Gat in Khamaj. In both cassettes,
Pandit Nikhil Banerjee has been ably accompanied on tabla by Pandit
Mahapurush Misra. The 'Saath-Sangat' in Khamaj needs a special
mention. All the Gats have a very beautiful construction in taal
as well as raga. Pandit Nikhil Banerjee's threefold mastery of
his instrument, the Sitar, of melodic resources, as well as taal
is once again evident from these cassettes.
Nikhil Banerjee, Manilal Nag, sixties. Collection Manilal
Nag
Pandit Manilal Nag plays another very popular Jod-Raga, Pooriya
Kalyan. In the full presentation of this raga (Alap-Jod-Jhala-Gat),
Pandit Manilal Nag employs a host of beautiful phrases to develop
the raga, interspersing these with attractive rhythmic patterns.
His command over taal is apparent within the first few moments
of the start of the Gat. On the other side of the cassette, Pandit
Manilal Nag presents Raga Mishra Piloo and Raga Khamaj. Both these
melodies are towards the lighter side and the presentation is
superb. Pandit Mahapurush Misra's sweet and clear tabla accompaniment
enhances the already effective rendering. In short, this set of
three cassettes claims a special place in the collection of Indian
Music connoisseurs and Raga Records deserves to be complimented
for this effort on their part.
© 1989 Raga-Mala Performing Arts of Canada
