Jun 08, 2009 04:45 PM
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(Updated Jun 08, 2009 05:02 PM)
Composing devotional music stands in a different category. The challenge in this genre of music lies in manifesting the mood of the saint-poets, whose divine love is something that is beyond the categorization of secular love. The scriptures list the stages of divine ecstasy starting from sraddha, ruchi, asakti, prema, bhava and maha-bhava.Perhaps equivalent words lack to convey the accurate meaning of these terms in English. However, worthy a singer may be if the compositions fail to capture these moods then the entire rendition is laid insipid.
Krishnamayeeby Asha Bhonsle has been released by Saregama in celebrating 75th year ofthe versatile singer presenting a collection of classic bhajans of Meerabai and Surdas. However, the lack- lustre compositions fails to inspire, despite the perfect vocals of Asha Bhonsle .The music composed by her sisters Usha Mangeshkar and Meena Khadilkar are not befitting to do justice to the singing greatness of Asha Bhonsle.
The Album has eight songs composed by the duo and starts with the number Phagun ke din chaar* . **Only the endearing voice of Asha Bhonsle holds on to this weak composition.
Sakhi meri neend nasani ho, the famous composition of Meerabai comparatively is better placed. But, then brilliant artiste as Asha Bhonsle has the ability to lift the quality of any banal composition.
The next number Jo tum sunahu jasoda gorihas nothing special about it. The following number having elements of folk music, though makes for a good listening. The number is Jasoda Hari Palane Jhulavay.
Mane chakar Rakho Ji/Tum Suno Dayal Mhari Araji/Re Sanwalia Mharay/Bala Main Bairagan Hungi are the remaining numbers of the Album. All these numbers sail on the crutches of the voice of Asha Bhonsle. Comparisons do crop up in the mind of listeners for the timeless Devotional Albums composed by Hridaynath Mangeshkar in the voice of Lata –‘Meera Bhajans’ and ‘Chala Vahi Desh’. This attempt by the Mangeshkar sisters are nowhere near the quality of these above mentioned Albums.
The only saving grace is inclusion of the 1971 Jaidev composition of Meera bai Aali re mare naina baan padi. To sum up, this Average Album can be bought only for keepsake and for the single rare piece by Jaidev.The Album is priced at Rs.295/-
