Ramkali is also used to evoke the moods of madhur (sweet) or chakit (Startled). The best example of this is the composition by OP Nayyar in the film Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon sung by Asha Bhosle in 1963 - Dekho Bijli Dole Bin Badal Ki (Lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri) based on Raga Ramkali. The quicksilver mood of the raga is beautifully captured in this dance by Asha Parekh.
Raga Bhairav is a raga associated with Lord Shiva. Some musicians also call it Raga Bhairo or Bhairon. Bhairav is considered to be an incarnation (Avatar) of Lord Shiva who is fierce and associated with destruction. It is believed that Bhairon is connected to the Southern face and relates to the Mahavidya goddess named Bhairavi. The Sinhalese worship the same God as Bahirawa who is the God of treasures.
Raga Bhatiyar is a raga you listen to as you are still in bed, in that half asleep half awake state. Almost like what the first day of the calendar feels like. A little hazy as you still dwell on the last year gone by before you wonder what lies ahead as the year unfolds. This raga is unhurried. It is a raga that is full of hope.
Bharatpur for me is much more than the national park. It was about discovering the flavor of Raga Lalit. That morning in Bharatpur, I woke up early. I stared out of the window and looked at the first rays of the sun. It was cold and I sat up in bed still wrapped up and snug in the crumpled sheet. The gardener of the hotel was busy watering the gorgeous flowers. His day must have started early. All India Radio was playing Raga Lalit by Ustad Bismillah Khan. Bismillah is a word used to invoke God's blessings before the start of anything auspicious. The old transistor had seen better days for sure. Yet all that did not seem to matter as the gardener went about stooping over the marigolds and showering them before patting away extra water from the leaves. The fog had not yet lifted fully. The notes of Raga Lalit wafted through the fog ...
If there was one musician in KCP4 who really plays oblivious of the crowd, it was the pianist Mike Herting. He listens to the opening vocals and then peers close to the keys of the piano as if just the way the diamond merchant would look to see that no precious stone from his collection would be missed. He mumbles to himself, he hums the note that he is playing and then with each improvisation, experiences the bliss that comes from playing good music. By the time the song is over, his hair is dishevelled, his specs are foggy and he looks more like a scientist emerging from his lab. But oh what talent... he was just incredible.
Raga Khamaj is a late evening raga and is brought out rather elegantly in the light classical form of thumri. It has been a popular choice for film music as well. The romantic nature of the raga is brought out by this delightful composition of Salil Chowdhury O Sajna Barkha Bahar Aayi. This song is supposed to have been set to the swishing of the wipers of an Ambassador car when the composer was caught in a torrential downpour. The original version done in Bengali called Na Jeona was also sung by Lata Mangeshkar.
Ghar is what the Gulzar-RD Burman-Kishore magic is all about. I have always wondered whether this is a film one should watch because it shows the transition of Rekha as an actress or just listen to the music. I think I'll vote for the music.








