Indian Classical music can be sung or played in different styles which are governed by the Gharana, or a kind of music school. While the Raag (melodic framework) maybe the same but the rendition style changes depending on the Gharana that the musician comes from. Some of the famous Gharanas are Kirana, Gwalior, Mewati among others.

The late Pt.Jasraj was the most known face of the Mewati Gharana (named after the Mewat region in Haryana/Rajasthan). In fact, the Gharana gained visibility only after Pt. Jasraj gained popularity for his distinct style of Gayaki (singing). When he sang, the words in Bandish (composition) could be deciphered clearly. His usage of Meend (gliding from one note to another) was perhaps one of the most beautiful in India. Also, because he was inspired a lot by the thumri style singing of Begum Akhter, he developed a unique melodious style.

The master has several achievements to his name. From rendering rare Raags to giving some amazing singers to the world (like Sanjeev Abhyankar), to having institutes across the world that teach Indian Classical music to being bestowed all the Padma awards. But in my assessment, Pt. Jasraj’s greatest contribution to the world of music lies in the way he elevated Bhajans (devotional songs) as a genre. By infusing the perfect amount of classical music, pure emotions and his gifted soft textured voice, he would lift a Bhajan so high that the listener would feel like he or she is in paradise.

I am not much of a believer but I love the pristine ardor of devotion and faith. There is something very beautiful and almost romantic about believing without questioning. Whenever I have attended Pt. Ji’s live concert, I have felt that pristine beauty of becoming a believer, for a while. In one of the performances that I had attended, at the scenic seaside Bandra Amphitheater, the master ended the concert with the Raag Bhairavi based Bhajan, Shri Madhurashtakam and the entire amphitheater turned into a musical temple with all of us swaying to it like ardent devotees. That evening, he airlifted us all…to ethereal levels.

“Om Shri Anant Hari Narayana”..... that’s how Pandit Ji used to start his recital.

By Meraj Hasan

Meraj Hasan is a Mumbai / Hyderabad based communication professional (and an amateur poet/musician) with a passion for listening to music the vinyl way. His 31 year old Technics turntable along with a humble collection of LPs across genres like Classic rock, Classical, Blues and Jazz (amongst others) are his prized possessions.

He can be reached at +91 9833410791 or email: meraj.hasan@gmail.com