[Part 3] Raag Hamsadhwani - from the archives

Some more unforgettable compositions in Hamsadhwani by Ustad Amir Khan, Ramrang and others. Bonus content - live performance highlights for premium subscribers.

Hamsadhwani has firmly cast its spell on me. I’ve learned some fantastic songs in class, and I continue to sample the greats. In this post, I highlight a few compositions and composers, and also share their performances.

For some time now, I have been researching and compiling material to highlight “unknown composers.” Every culture has them: artists who donate their art to the commons. In India, it’s a time-honored tradition. Simply, it’s not the composer, but the song or the words, sometimes the sum of its parts, which captivates the imagination. The song remains in the public consciousness for a long time. In the case of classical music, it is often hundreds of years. John Stratton Hawley writes:

Back to Hamsadhwani. Here are some songs that have been playing on loop.

Ustad Amir Khan’s Hamsadhwani - Jai Maate Vilamba

'Durga in Combat with the Bull, Mahishasura', 19th century painting

Thanks to Youtuber D C for sharing the lyrics to the infamous tarana that Khan sahib

Vilambit (Slow Tempo Section)

Traditional devotional lyrics with translation

Original Text:

जय माते विलम्ब त्यजते
Jai Mate Vilamba Tyjate

मगन गुण दे
Magana Guna De

विघ्न दूर करता दे (या विद्या गुण तरस दे)
Vighana door karata de (or Vidya Guna Taras de)

जननी जग के
Janani Jaga ke

Translation:
Hail Mother, Remove all Obstacles
Bless us with an abundance of virtues
Remove all obstacles (or please grant us virtues & knowledge)
O Mother of the Universe

Drut (Fast Tempo Section)

Tarana Bols (Rhythmic Syllables):
Tanum Tanana Tadim Tadare Dani
Tadre Dani Tananana Yali Yalalala

poetic verses in the tarana:

Ittihad aist mia neh mano to
(Union is between me and you)

Mano to naist mia neh mano to
(For "me" and "you" were never truly two)

Next, a Ramrang twofer

Sakala Dukha Harana by Ramrang, sung by Smt Veena Sahasrabuddhe. I recently learned that Pt. Ramashreya Jha’s first composition was in Hamsadhwani. And what a composition that is. For now, enjoy this other madhyalaya bandish by him in Roopak.

For Ramrang’s first composition, here is my guru, Nachiket Yakkundi, singing two compositions

• Sukha Paalini, a Durga bandish by an unknown composer in Roopak Taal followed by

• Kal Na Parey in Drut Teental, which is Ramrang’s first composition and a high-energy feast in Hamsadhwani.

Lastly, for some Carnatic brilliance, listen to Dr. Jyotsna Srikanth playing Hamsadhwani with three different percussionists. If you know the compositions, please write in and let me know.

I hope you enjoyed this brief exploration of Hamsadhwani.

"BONUS CONTENT for premium subscribers

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