This appeared in the Splainer in June
Brindabani Sarang is associated both with afternoon – played between noon and three – and the summers. The Sarang Family – Sarang, Gaud Sarang, Madhmad Sarang – like many of the other classical Ragas, have their origin in folk music. And, many of these songs are about love – romantic and divine, and the sense of oneness with the one you love
This Raga is the one most associated with Krishna and his Raas Leela. Legend has it that Swami Haridas had a dream where Krishna appears and tells him to create a Raga that would capture the beauty and the essence of Vrindavan – and the especially the romantic love of not just Krishna and Radha, but also the Gopis and Krishna. The next morning he begins composing this Raga. The Raag is also called Vrindavani Sarang. It is said that Krishna was so moved by the love shown by Swami Haridas in that raga, that he manifests himself as an idol that is still today, found in Mathura – the Banke Bihari temple.
Brindabani Sarang is a slow, lyrical raga that is often used to express the sweetest love and the complete surrender to the one you love. As instructed by Krishna to Swami Haridas, the Raga oozes with Sringara Rasa (Romantic Mood).This song from the film Nagin – Jadoogar Saaiyan Chodo mori Baaya – is an effective example of Romance, with Lata Mangeshkar at her sweetest. A much older Lata has another lovely song based on this raga, in the film Rudali. A more contemporary expression of the Raga is Shreya Ghosal with Ghoomar, from the film Padmavat.
Given the roots of the raga – the love of Radha and Krishna – there are great number of classical songs based on this eternal love story. This is a lovely short Bandish sung by Devaki Pandit – Ban Ban Dhoondan – on Radha searching for Krishna in the forest. Whereas, this a beautiful exposition of the Raga by Venkatesh Kumar – Mohan ki Murali Baaje.
Brindabani Sarang – instrumental
The Krishna of Vrindavan is never seen without his flute. And, it is the notes played on the flute that captivate both the cows and the Gopikas. It is the songs played on the flute that mesmerises Radha. It is but natural that there will be incredible compsitions in this raga, for the flute. Here is one of the greatest of all time flautists Hari Prasad Chaurasia, pouring out his love for the flute and the raga in his incredible recital. Another musician who made Brindabani Sarang his own, was Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan – his Brindabani Sarang was perfected on the banks of Benaras.
Brindabani Sarang – Vocal
One of the greatest vocal exponents of this raga was Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi. His s Brindabani Sarang. The composition, Tum Rab, Tum Sabhib literally, you are my God and master, is one he sang in many moods. But in each recital, his surrender to the music was complete. This particular recital ends with the magnificently vigorous – jaoon mein tope bali hari. Another beautiful composition is Ay Udho Dhana – this one sung by Shruti Sadolikar, that fully explores the nuances of the raga.
The raga is so beautifully melodious, that even a tarana – that is normally onomatopoeic – sounds like the song of love. This is a brilliant tarana by Sanjeev Abhaynkar in the raga
To conclude this exploration of Ragas, I will leave you with the superbly melodious and incredibly soulful recital O mora Jiya by Ashwini Bhide Deshpande.
Playlist –
- Jadoogar Saayian – Lata Mangeshkar – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiO4vQ2xjnM
- Jhooti Mooti Mitwa Aawan Bole – Lata Mangeshkar – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xCQ6y0_QXA
- Ghoomar – Shreya Ghosal – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CU1tFtk_NFY
- Ban Ban Dhoondan Jaao – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpmXOQCB3QU
- Mohan ki Murali baaje – Venkatesh Kumar – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7tbbUl0M-0
- Hari Prasad Chaurasia – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaQKy-gTHtM&list=RDTaQKy-gTHtM&start_radio=1
- Bismillah Khan – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvbKeOrYFsI
- Bhimsen Joshi – Tum Rab Tum Saheb – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es_31tp1HII
- Ay Udho Dhana – shruti Sadolikar – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2J40pqk5o5s
- Tarana – Sanjeev Abhankar – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Psy1v0TRQU
- O mora Jiya – Ashwini Bhide Deshpande – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAS9DitcQuU