This appeared in the ‘Splainer in May.
I cannot think of Raga Darbari without the hearing in my mind’s ear, the deep baritone of Bhimsen Joshi, exploring the many nuances of the Raga, deep into the night. The best way to describe the Raga is majestic. It has the formal persona of a senior courtier, sombre and regal.
The raga is also called Darbari Kanada because it is believed to have originated from the Kanada family of ragas, associated with the Carnatic style of music. But the relationship between Darbari and Carnatic music, is at best tenuous. The Raga is supposed to have originated in the court of Emperor Akbar, when Tansen fused influences of various ragas to create this slow and grave Raga for court performances – hence the name Darbari.
The popularity of Raga Darbari endures till date. It is one of the most revered and widely performed ragas in Hindustani Classical Music concerts. Amongst the most brilliant renditions of Darbari is by Ustad Amir Khan – the tarana at the end of this rendition is mind blowing in its intensity. A tarana is usually performed at the end of a composition and tends to use syllables instead of words. – deem tanana deem, for example. The Tarana is attributed to the legendary composer Amir Khusrau.
Darbari Kanada in Hindi Films
Two major films of the 1960’s based around the court of Emperor Akbar – Sangeet Samrat Tansen and Moghul-e-Azam, both featured songs based on Raga Darbari. In the film Moghul-e-Azam, Anarkali bemoans her fate with Lata Mangeshkar crooning Mohobbat ki Jhooti Kahani pe Roye in the raga. And in Sangeet Samrat Tansen, Manna De sings for Tansen – the beautifully lyrical Mitwa Laut Aaye Re.
But it isn’t’ just sombre Hindi songs that were composed in Raga Darbari, but romantic songs, and even fun songs. There is the wonderful Pag Ghungroo Bandh Meera, from Namak Halal, in which both the singer, Kishore Kumar, and the actor Amitabh Bachchan -seem to be enjoying themselves. And fun is again the word you would use for Mehmood and Manna De on Pyaar Ki Aag Mein also in Darbari.
Darbari in Instrumental
For a raga that denotes power and majesty, it can also take a very mellow form especially on instruments like the flute. One of my favourite instrumental renditions of the Raga is this absolutely soothing rendition on the flute by Hari Prasad Chaurasia. In the wee hours of the night, this rendition brings a lot of peace. On the other hand, when Ustad Ali Akbar Khan plays Raga Darbari on the Sarod, the full majesty of the raga is on display.
And finally there is Darbari in fusion with Anoushka Shankar and a lovely, and light, rendition of Raga Darbari Kanada, as part of a jazz festival.
Darbari by the great vocalists
Much as the instrumental renditions of Darbari are enjoyable, its full glory is on display mainly in its vocal renditions. It is the singer who brings the power and the passion, the darkness and the joy of a political court alive in the recital.
Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, of the Patiala Gharana, was one of those who could bring out the full range of the raga in his recital. Here is a fabulous concert recording for All India Radio, with a superb Tarana at the end. Pandit Venketesh Kumar is another fine explorer of the raga. This lovely concert rendition is probably one of the best concert performances in the Raga, that I have heard. The drut (faster composition towards the end) Janaki Ram, Ram Janki, mere man mein bas gayi re … is otherworldly in its beauty.
And finally, to end this piece, is a lovely interview and performance by Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan – where he shows he incredible range of the raga in a magnificent alaap.
Playlist
- Bhimsen Joshi – Raga Darbari – Vilambit and Drut (Bandish) – Siddhi
- Amir Khan – Raga Darbari – Khayal and Tarana
- Lata Mangeshkar – Mohobbat ki Jhooti Kahani pe Roye– Moghul E Azam
- Manna De – Mitwa Laut Aaye Re – Sangeet Samrat Tansen
- Kishore Kumar – Pag Ghungroo Bandh Meera – Namak Halal
- Manna De – Pyaar Ki Aagh Mein – Ziddi
- Hari Prasad Chaurasia – Flute
- Ali Akbar Khan – Sarod
- Anoushka Shankar – Sitar,
- Bade Ghulam Ali Khan – AIR recording – Darbari Kanada
- Venketesh Kumar – concert recording
- Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan – interview & performance