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Raag-Rang Newsletter Vol. 2 March, 2011

SOOR SANSKAR A Tribute To Bhimsen Issue,By Pragya Date Mishra Thakur

This second Raag-Rang Pandit was so in the South Indian language. He newsletter would be incomplete passionate about music from an early would move in an out of styles and without a tribute to our revered age that he left home at the tender age language restrictions as if no such Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, who passed of 11 in a quest for a guru. He was artificial boundaries ever existed. This away on January 24th, 2011 in , eventually found and brought back spirit of unity and oneness was so leaving behind a legion of bereft home but there was no stopping him clearly evident in his unforgettable music lovers. Pandit Bhimsen Joshi from pursuing his dream after that rendition of the song that became a was a recipient of the event. He went on to become the call for national integration and unity and many other awards during his recipient of every possible award an in : . illustrious lifetime and was honor that a musician in India can Raag-Rang, now in its third accorded a receive, culminating with the highest year, through its efforts, hopes to accompanied by a 21 gun salute at honor, the Bharat Ratna. cultivate the same dedication and the the Vaikunth Crematorium of Pune, same passion in the young performers . Mourners gathered and musicians that we support and in large numbers to pay homage encourage. We want them to learn amidst the emotive strains of his from Panditji’s life and his words. playing on the Here are a few quotes he shared with loudspeakers. the readers of India Abroad in an Pandit Bhimsen Joshi was interview in 1997: “For a few years born on Feb 4, 1922 at Gadag in the after learning music, I did not sing, 3 I of . only listened, I heard a lot of music of During his long career as a different kinds. This is an education masterful performer Khayal gayaki, that is as important as practicing Panditji enthralled generations music. The singer has to be a great with his flawless renditions. His thief. From each person take the best 4 performances swayed the crowds to create your own style.” with a sonorous and powerful There is so much that our voice, fine musical sensibility and an young performers could learn from his unwavering grasp of the His fellow musicians shared words about the importance of fundamentals. His style of singing some fond memories of their listening with attentiveness, was highly improvisatory, association with him upon his passing. understanding that listening to singers something that is impossible One of the most memorable is the one like Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, picking up without an unshakable grasp of the shared by the Carnatic sangeet maestro on styles, inflection, rendition is as fundamentals, and demanded great Dr. Balamuralikrishna. He remembered important as one’s own practice. artistry. He reigned supreme as he with great fondness their famous We are hopeful that through manipulated melody, rhythm and jugalbandis when Panditji would sing a our efforts we are nurturing a tempo for a galvanizing and song in while Dr. generation of performers who would mesmerizing effect on his Balamuralikrishna sang in a South do our great musicians like Pandit audiences. He was a proponent of Indian language. During the course of Bhimsen Joshi and our great traditions the Kirana which places a the performance Panditji would of Carnatic and Hindustani music and tremendous emphasis on the sometimes forget his Hindi words and dances proud. with a natural fluidity drift into singing fluidity of melody. 1 Raag-Rang Newsletter Vol. 2 March, 2011

Address: 28 McBride Way, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 Phone: (908)-429-1120; e-mail: [email protected] Website: www.raagrang.org To subscribe to our mailing list please send us an e-mail

Music – What life is Made Out Of. MUSIC INSTRUCTION By Shreya Katti; Age 11 • Ethnomedia Music Studio conducts classes under the guidance of Smt. Mitali Banerjee Bhawmik at: o The Bharat Sevasram Sangha, Kendall Park I love music. It is my favorite thing to do and listen. o Bridgewater As I listen to a song, I tap the beat with my feet. The music flows into my ears in delicate set harmony. • Classes are also conducted in New Brunswick at the Rhythm and lyrics pop into my head and settle there for the Rutgers University campus. rest of the day. All of the songs I listen to inspire me in many ways and fill me For more information on any of the above contact with emotions. Smt. Mitali Banerjee Bhawmik at (908)-429-1120 or When I feel tired from hours of work in school, I come home e-mail: [email protected]. and listen to music. It soothes me like cool ointment on burning skin. I like to play music also. The many variations I sing and play on my keyboard make me feel excited and UPCOMING EVENTS

happy that I could do them. Music can feel excited, scary, Next concert will be in June 2011 happy, sad, funny and many other emotions. I enjoy music Details will be posted on our website. like thousands of others in the world.

I have heard of many people who sing hours on end. This Other Announcements: (not affiliated with makes me feel happy because people have such a great Raag-Rang) amount of passion towards music. The result of singing for a Summer Camp at Rutgers — June 27-July 1 long time is that this produces good singers. Most of the A music camp for children age 8-15. For more great singers do not care about fame and fortune. Those information contact Samir Chatterjee at people only care about music and their passion towards it. samir@.org

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