NIRGUNI BHAJANS by KUMAR GANDHARVA (Hindustani singing)

Finally available on the Western market are four fascinating pieces by the exceptional vocalist KUMAR GANDHARVA (1924-1992), who like many other famous vocalists such as Gangubhai Hangal, Bhimsen Joshi and Mallikarjun Mansur (who you can hear on Khayals - Dunya fy 8067), was born in the region of Darhwad, in the north of Karnataka in Southern India. A leading exponent of Carnatic culture, GANDHARVA was a child-prodigy who grew up amid great upheaval, and who brought several crucial technical and expressive innovations to an age-old tradition. For fans of Indian classical music, this record provides a wonderful opportunity to develop a more profound understanding of the art connected to bhajan, the most important form of Hindu devotional music.
KUMAR GANDHARVA's voice is unique and inimitable, and even the non-expert listener will not be able to resist being lured into his spiritual world. Through his interpretations, what reaches our ears is the authentic sound of medieval India, a music possessed of startling emotive power. The lyrics declaimed by the singer derive from the work of Kabir, a mystic of the 15th century who lived in the holy city of Kashi, at a time when India was still Muslim-dominated. Kabir is a figure steeped in legend, who together with the equally celebrated Mirabai and Tulsidas contributed to forming the meditational canon that has been passed down through the centuries to us.
The transcendental experience of the ancient Hindu scriptures is revived once more in KUMAR GANDHARVA's interpretations of, whose sensibility is at once ancient and modern. Right from the first track, evident are the richly grained shadings of his voice, the range of rhythmic cycles he employs and the amazing effect produced by the repetition of modulated phrases in tonalities that are always different.
KUMAR GANDHARVA's musical meditations tend to become almost trance-like in their intensity. What are basically the simple elements of the bhajan tradition are transformed by his voice into a hypnotic chant of rare beauty. The melodies seem to be built of a continuous flux of sounds of no more than a syllable, while the accompaniment of the tanpura, harmonium and tabla gives the music added richness and depth.
Listening to Nirguni Bhajans is undoubtedly a unique and timeless experience.

originally released as Inreco IP 6060
Licenced by Indian Records MFG. Co. Ltd.