Jasraj

Pandit Jasraj (born 28 January 1930) is an Indian classical vocalist, belonging to the Mewati gharana (musical apprenticeship lineage).[3] His musical career has spanned more than 80 years and led to numerous major awards. His performances of classical and semi-classical vocals have become albums and film soundtracks. Jasraj has taught music in India, Canada and the US. Some of his students have in turn become notable musicians such as violinist Kala Ramnath.

Jasraj
Pandit Jasraj Performing at Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal in Poonam-35 Program (2015)
Born
Jasraj

(1930-01-28) 28 January 1930
Pili Mandori, Hisar district, (now in Fatehabad),[1] British Punjab
OccupationSinger, music teacher, tabla player
Home townVersova, Mumbai[2]
Spouse(s)Madhura Shantaram (married 1962–present)
Children
Parent(s)
  • Pandit Motiram (father)
Relatives
  • Pandit Maniram (eldest brother)
  • Pandit Pratap Narayan (elder brother)
AwardsSee awards and honours
Musical career
GenresHindustani classical music
Instrumentssinging, tabla
Years active1945–present
Websitewww.panditjasraj.com

Early life

Jasraj was born on 28 January 1930 in Pili Mandori, a village in the Hisar district of Haryana,[note 1] in a middle-class Brahmin family to Pandit Motiram, a classical singer.[1][4] Motiram died in 1934 when Jasraj was four, on the day he was to be appointed as the state musician in the court of Mir Osman Ali Khan.[5][6][7] Jasraj's elder brother, Pandit Pratap Narayan, was also an accomplished musician and was the father of music composer duo Jatin-Lalit, singer-actress Sulakshana Pandit and actress Vijeta Pandit.[8] His eldest brother is vocalist Pandit Maniram.

Jasraj spent his youth in Hyderabad, and travelled often to Sanand in Gujarat to study music with musicians of the Mewati gharana.[9] Jasraj performed for Maharaj Jaywant Singh Waghela, the Thakur Sahib of Sanand, who was deeply dedicated to classical music,[10] and received training from him.[10][11]

In 1946, Jasraj moved to Calcutta, where he began singing classical music for radio.[9]

Personal life
Jasraj with his wife Madhura on the stage of Satsang Bhawan in Govind Dev Ji Temple, Jaipur (2011).

In 1962, Jasraj married Madhura Shantaram, the daughter of film director V. Shantaram, whom he had first met in 1960 in Bombay.[12] They initially lived in Calcutta, moving to Bombay in 1963.[13] They have two children, a son, Shaarang Dev Pandit, and a daughter, Durga Jasraj. Madhura made a film, Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj in 2009[14] and directed her first Marathi film, Aai Tuza Ashirwad, in 2010, in which her husband and Lata Mangeshkar sang in Marathi.[15][16]

Career
Jasraj at the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya Poonam-35, Bhopal, in 2015

Training

Jasraj was initiated into vocal music by his father, and later trained as a tabla accompanist under his elder brother, Pandit Pratap Narayan.[17] He would frequently accompany Maniram in his solo vocal performances.[1] He credits the vocalist, Begum Akhtar, as inspiring him to take up classical music.[12]

Jasraj began training as a vocalist at the age of 14, after renouncing tabla in reaction to how accompanists were treated at the time.[18][19] In 1952 when he was 22 he performed his first stage concert as a vocalist in the court of King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah of Nepal in Kathmandu.[1][20][21] Before becoming a stage performer, Jasraj worked as a performing artist on radio for several years.[22]

He initially trained as a classical vocalist with Pandit Maniram, and later with Jaiwant Singh Waghela, a vocalist and beenkar,[9] and Gulam Qadir Khan of Mewati gharana. In addition, he trained under Swami Vallabhdas Damulji of the Agra gharana.[22]

Technique and style
Jasraj in a concert at Bhubaneswar

Classical music

Although Jasraj belongs to the Mewati gharana, a school of music known for its traditional performances of khayals, Jasraj has sung khayals with some flexibility, adding elements of lighter styles, including the thumri.[22] During the initial stages of his career he was criticised for incorporating elements from other schools of music, or gharanas, into his singing.[22] Musicologist S. Kalidas has noted, however, that this borrowing of elements across gharanas has now become more commonly accepted.[22]

Jasraj created a novel form of jugalbandi called Jasrangi that is styled on the ancient system of moorchhana, between a male and a female vocalist, who each sing different ragas at the same time.[1][5] He is also known for presenting a variety of rare ragas including Abiri Todi and Patdeepaki.[23]

In addition to performing classical music, Jasraj has worked to popularise semi-classical musical styles, such as Haveli Sangeet, which involves semi-classical performances in temples.[24] He has also sung classical and semi-classical compositions for film soundtracks, such as the song, 'Vandana Karo', composed in the raga Ahir Bhairav by the composer Vasant Desai, for the film Ladki Sahyadri Ki (1966),[24] a duet with vocalist Bhimsen Joshi for the soundtrack of the film Birbal My Brother (1975),[25] and a ballad, Vaada Tumse Hai Vaada for a horror film titled 1920 (2008) directed by Vikram Bhatt.[24]

In memory of his father, Jasraj organises a musical festival every year called the Pandit Motiram Pandit Maniram Sangeet Samaroh in Hyderabad.[5][6] The festival has been held annually since 1972.[9]

Pandit Jasraj Concert in New Delhi by Navrasa Duende

On 28 January 2017, the production house Navrasa Duende celebrated Jasraj's 87th birthday and 80 years of his service to music with a classical music concert titled My Journey, an Intimate Evening with Pandit Jasraj at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. He received a standing ovation.[26]

Teaching
See also: Pandit Jasraj Institute for Music, Research, Artistry and Appreciation
See also: Pandit Jasraj Institute of Music Toronto

Jasraj has tutored several students who have gone on to perform as classical musicians including Saptarshi Chakraborty,[8] Sanjeev Abhyankar,[27][20] violinist Kala Ramnath,[28][20] Tripti Mukherjee,[29] Suman Ghosh,[19] flautist Shashank Subramanyam,[30][20] Anuradha Paudwal,[8] Sadhana Sargam,[19] and Ramesh Narayan.[31][29]

He is also the founder of schools for Indian classical music in Atlanta, Tampa, Vancouver, Toronto, New York, New Jersey, Pittsburgh, Mumbai, and Kerala.[32][33] At age 90 he was teaching some of his international students through Skype.[34][2][35]

Awards and honours

Discography

Performances in film soundtracks

Notes
  1. Pili Mandori is now within the Fatehabad district.
gollark: I can probably help!
gollark: Wait, how many turns did you get?
gollark: ÜMLÄÜT.
gollark: I may be able to AR, also.
gollark: Wait, "code channel"? Mysterious.

References
  1. Sharma, Supriya (31 March 2017). "Pandit Jasraj on his life-long love for music". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  2. "Pandit Jasraj looks back on gold mohurs from a king, hopes for more voices to join his". Hindustan Times (Interview). Interviewed by Vanessa Viegas. 20 January 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  3. Kulkarni, Pranav (15 December 2008). "Pandit Jasraj casts magic spell". The Indian Express. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  4. "Fun Interview On Wishlist, Pandit Jasraj Talks Of Cricket, Deer And Krishna". NDTV (Interview). Interviewed by Radhika Bordia. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  5. Kumar, Ranee (1 December 2004). "A custom of culture". The Hindu.
  6. Jāʼisī, Ṣidq; Luther, Narendra (2004). The Nocturnal Court: The Life of a Prince of Hyderabad. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0195666052.
  7. "My Father Died Five Hours Before He Was To Be Announced The Royal Musician In Court Of Osman Ali Khan". The Times of India (Interview). Interviewed by Papri Paul. 11 December 2016. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  8. Pawar, Yogesh (15 March 2019). "Pt Jasraj's 90-year musical journey". DNA India. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  9. Paul, Papri (28 January 2015). "Pandit Jasraj takes a trip down the memory lane to relive his idyllic childhood spent in Hyderabad". The Times of India. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  10. "The Master's Voice". Harmony — Celebrate Age (Interview). Interviewed by Rajashree Balaram. 1 November 2009.
  11. "Pandit Jasraj: 'Music is what can take you to heaven'". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  12. "Raag Jasraj, in the maestro's voice". The Times of India (Interview). Interviewed by Anubha Sawhney. 27 December 2003. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  13. "Jai ho! Jasraj". The Hindu (Interview). Interviewed by S. Priyadershini. 8 October 2007.
  14. "Madhura Jasraj recounts life with the Maestro". Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India). 26 November 2009.
  15. Nivas, Namita (10 September 2010). "Age no bar". The Indian Express.
  16. "V Shantaram's daughter turns director". Hindustan Times. 26 October 2010. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  17. "Interview – Pt Jasraj: Music has universal appeal". narthaki.com (Interview). Interviewed by Vijai Shanker. 6 September 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  18. "The Sun of Music". Khabar (Interview). Interviewed by Parthiv N. Parekh. Archived from the original on 23 July 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  19. Thakur, Pradeep (12 September 2010). Indian Music Masters of Our Times- Part 1. Punjab, India: Pradeem Thakur & Sons. pp. 179–190. ISBN 9788190870566.
  20. "I have never gone looking for disciples, says Pandit Jasraj". The Hindu (Interview). Interviewed by Narendra Kusnur. 14 March 2019. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  21. "Pandit Jasraj looks back on gold mohurs from a king, hopes for more voices to join his". Hindustan Times (Interview). Interviewed by Vanessa Viegas. 20 January 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  22. Khurana, Suanshu (25 January 2015). "Pandit Jasraj looks back at a long, musical life on his 85th birthday". The Indian Express. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  23. Mathur, Siddhartha (10 February 2012). "Unforgettable". The Indian Express. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  24. Gaekwad, Manish. "Cinema classical: Singing for the gods, Pandit Jasraj took time out to enthral mortals". Scroll.in. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  25. Gautam, Savitha (24 February 2011). "Looking back… musically". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  26. "Pandit Jasraj turns 87, celebrates in the form of a concert" (Press release). Indo-Asian News Service. Retrieved 29 January 2017 – via The Statesman.
  27. "Sanjeev Abhyankar". Ragamala. Archived from the original on 26 August 2007. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  28. "Bio | Kala Ramnath | The Singing Violin of Indian Classical Music". kalaramnath.com. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  29. Kumar, P. k Ajith (17 January 2016). "His music knows no age". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  30. Subramanyam, Shashank (16 January 2009). "On an innovative journey". The Hindu (Interview). Interviewed by Savitha Gautam. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  31. "Ramesh Narayan: My biggest achievement is not any award or accolade, but Pandit Jasraj's discipleship – Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  32. Watts, Gabbie (27 July 2017). "Sangeetayan Promotes Indian Classical Music In Atlanta". WABE 90.1.
  33. Rele, Nitish (May 2006). "Pandit Jasraj Looks to Enlighten Americans on Indian Music". Khaas Baat. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  34. "Pandit Jasraj on turning 90, teaching music through Skype: 'I don't like when people say woh zamaana achha tha'". Hindustan Times (Interview). Interviewed by Press Trust of India. 28 January 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  35. "Pandit Jasraj feels reality shows have benefited classical music" (Interview). Interviewed by Indo-Asian News Service. 21 February 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2020 – via Zee News.
  36. "Padma Awards Directory (1954–2017)" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs.
  37. "Pandit Jasraj". Sangeet Natak Akademi. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  38. "Marar, Jasraj bag awards". The Hindu. 12 March 2008.
  39. "Pandit Jasraj gets Kerala Govt's award". Hindustan Times. 12 March 2008. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  40. "Declaration of Sangeet Natak Akademi fellowships (Akademi Ratna) and Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskar) for the year 2009" (Press release). Ministry of Culture (India). 16 February 2010. Retrieved 17 February 2010.
  41. "Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Pandit Jasraj". Hindustan Times. 30 September 2010. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  42. "Pandit Jasraj given Pu La Deshpande lifetime achievement award". DNA India. 8 November 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  43. "Pandit Jasraj to Receive Maharashtra Government's Top Music Award" (Press release). Press Trust of India. Retrieved 27 April 2020 – via India West.
  44. "Orchestral symphony is very interesting: Pandit Jasraj". Hindustan Times (Interview). Interviewed by Debarun Borthakur. 18 November 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  45. "Three music maestros get Marwar Sangeet Ratna Award". Hindustan Times. 11 December 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2019 – via PressReader.
  46. Nayak, N. Dinesh (19 January 2016). "Jasraj receives Hangal award". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  47. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 300128 Panditjasraj (2006 VP32)" (26 February 2019 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  48. "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  49. Rockwell, Teed (13 October 2008). "Pandit Jasraj in Concert". India Currents. Retrieved 14 May 2020.

Discography references
  1. Romero, Angel (18 August 2018). "Artist Profiles: Pandit Jasraj". World Music Central. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  2. "Devotionally Yours – Pandit Jasraj". The Indian Express. OCLC 652343767. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  3. The glory of dawn: morning ragas (in Hindi), Times Music, 2005, OCLC 881488955
  4. Invocation. (in Sanskrit), Water Lily Acoustic, 1993, OCLC 31731043
  5. "Kanha – Padma Vibhushan Pandit Jasraj Indian Classical Music / Hindustani Classical". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  6. In concert: Vancouver, BC-August 10/96, World Media, 2000, OCLC 50315127
  7. Jasraj (2005), Malhar a downpour of music (in Nepali), Times Music, OCLC 881489066
  8. The meditative music of Pandit Jasraj. (in Hindi), Oriental Records, OCLC 369698317
  9. Parampara: the Mewati tradition : 75th birthday celebrations (in Hindi), Times Music, India, 2005, OCLC 819532237
  10. Shri Krishna Anuraag, Adhishri Tradings : Sony Music, 2000, OCLC 704701864
  11. The spiritual journey, Times Music, India, 2005, OCLC 86082899
  12. Gopalka, Kushal (29 December 2007). "Music Review | On an old note". Mint. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  13. Devi upasana, Virgin Records (India) Pvt Ltd. : Made available through hoopla, 2007, OCLC 1098875065
  14. Miyan Tansen: as interpreted by Pandit Jasraj. (in Hindi), Times Music, 2006, OCLC 823747327
  15. Tapasya. Volume 1 Volume 1, Navras, 2004, OCLC 662580006
  16. Darbar (in Hindi), Sense World Music, 2003, OCLC 475643917
  17. Maheshwara mantra., Oreade Music, 2002, OCLC 652433351
  18. Soul Food: Live at the Saptak Festival, Sense World Music, 2002, OCLC 85891441
  19. Haveli sangeet., Navras Records Ltd., 2001, OCLC 53891975
  20. Inspiration, Navras Records, 2000, OCLC 45263860
  21. Raga Triveni & Raga Multani. (in Sanskrit), Navras, 1994, OCLC 418882680
  22. Ragas Bihagda & Gaud giri malhar live at the QEH August 18, 1993 (in Hindi), Navras, 18 August 1993, OCLC 873053602
  23. Worship by music, Indische Tanzschule "Chhandra Dhara"., 1991, OCLC 27740578
  24. Ornamental voice, (in Indic), Chhanda Dhara, 1989, OCLC 23685849
  25. Mermelstein, David (3 December 2012). "OSCARS: 'Life Of Pi' Score". Deadline. OCLC 814673923. Retrieved 22 August 2019.

Further reading
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