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CD Review
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Saathee Magazine, CD Review >>
Vandana Vishwas overcame physical challenges and, while still in her teens, earned a Sangeet Visharad, the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in Indian classical vocal music. Born in Lucknow, she now lives in Toronto and works as an architect. But music has been in her blood since childhood and it’s that love that has resulted in this fine debut recording. In Indian history and traditions, the legendary love of Meera for Krishna is documented in stories and passed down through generations. On this recording Vishwas has chosen several Meera poems and composed songs that are moody, somber, and haunting.
Vishwas has a wonderful voice and a keen ear for classical music as well as bhajans (religious devotional music). On Meera the Lover, she explores the story of Meera and her prem-bhakti poetry. Meera’s songs have often been recorded and sung as bhajans for Krishna, but here Vishwas is honing in on the romantic aspects of Meera’s poetry, hence the title of the recording.
Vishwas specializes in Sugam Sangeet (bhajans, ghazals and contemporary songs) and was influenced and inspired by the legendary Lata Mangeshkar and Kishori Amonkar, both of whom also sang Meera bhajans. Meera lived and wrote her elegant poetry five hundred years ago, yet her poems are still sung and celebrated throughout contemporary South Asia.
The songs on this recording are colored by different Ragas including Raga Des (“Badara Re”), Raga Durbari (“Rana Ji”), and Bhairav Thaat (“Chala Wahi Des”). The instrumentation includes tabla, sitar, dholak, acoustic guitars, iktara, and keyboards. There’s also of course the flute, representing the essence of Krishna. The album is available with or without spoken word narrative that tells the story of Meera between the music tracks. 10/12/09 >> go there
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