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Cassettes

INTRODUCING

MEETA PANDIT

Sa Re Ga Ma, Rs.175

Meeta Pandit, representative of the Gwalior gharana and daughter of the doyen L.K. Pandit, may hardly need an introduction to those acquainted with the Hindustani music field — nevertheless here is another welcome album from the ‘Introduc ing’ series. It begins with an unhurried exposition of raga Jaunpuri. The singer takes her time with the alap and vilambit khayal, then goes on to a drut khayal, “Tu kaun rijhaawan”, in which the tabla comes into its own. By the time it is the turn of the brisk tarana, she is cruising and vaulting in the open skies. Meeta’s voice is a gift: robust while mellow, melodious while expressive.

After the different aspects of Jaunpuri, she changes the mood with a rousing tappa in Tilang, replete with full-bodied taans and hearty sams. The album concludes with a bhajan, “Piyaji mhare naina aage rahiyoji” set to music by the singer. Here, beginning liltingly, Meeta uses her voice range to musically explore the longing of Meera for her lord, her sense of abandon and pensiveness.

The tabla and sarangi, now in tandem with the singer, now complementing her, add immeasurably to the music. More’s the pity that the accompanying artistes’ names are not to be found anywhere in the album notes.

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