My favourite raga
Sanjeev Abhyankar: ‘I like Bagesri and Yaman.’
Mood and ambience matter so much when you go up on the stage to perform. They also influence your choice of ragas. This means, most often an artist’s favourite raga keeps changing with every performance. Of course, there are some ragas that leave a deep impact on you and the audience’s mind and soul. They are also the ones that you enjoy rendering more, begins Sanjeev Abhyankar, the Hindustani vocalist.
“For me, one such raga is Bagesri. I have been experiencing the pleasure of exploring its nuances from childhood. One amazing feature of Bagesri is its ability to depict all rasas — bhakti, karuna, shant, viraha, shingara… The impact of these emotions can be felt completely depending on the composition one chooses to sing. The compositions sometimes move you so much that you take the freedom to express your virtuosity but need to be careful not to sacrifice the essential character of the raga.”
Amazing quality
“Another raga I would want to talk about is Yaman. Both Bagesri and Yaman are evergreen because of the flexibility they offer in terms of expression and juggling of notes. Yaman has this amazing quality of elevating the mood of the listener and the singer, whatever be the situation.
“If you are depressed just listen to or hum this raga, you will feel the difference. It has a calming effect, quite like how you feel when you look at greenery. The powerful combination of notes in both ragas makes them stand out in a concert,” explains Sanjeev.
“Like Bagesri, Yaman suits many bhavas such as bhakti, karuna, shant and shingara, which means wider choice of expressions. Every time I sing these ragas, I feel they are as refreshing as they were when I used to sing as a young boy.”
Sample these gems in Yaman ‘Ras Barase Boondaniya, Bar Bas Barase Mori Aankhiyan,’ ‘Ja Ja Re Pagal Manva, Teri Kaun Sune Kisko Parava (popularised by Sanjeev’s guru Pandit Jasraj) and ‘Sakhi Yeri Aali Piya Bin’ (a traditional work).
“In Bagesri I could list these as the top three: ‘Jare Balama Tose Nahin Bolun’ (a Pandit Jasraj speciality), Pandit C.R.Vyas’ ‘Na Dalo Rang Mujh Pe’ and the traditional piece ‘Ras Bhari Bajaye Bansuri,” concludes Sanjeev.
CHITRA SWAMINATHAN
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