Best of Pt. Bhimsen Joshi | Hindustani Classical Vocal

Pt. Bhimsen Joshi is probably the most celebrated face of Hindustani Classical vocals. A legendary khayal singer who is a shining star in the vast skyline of Indian Classical music. Born on 4th February, 1922 in Karnataka, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi is the descendant of Kirana stream of Hindustani classical music. He is famous for the "Khayal", a form of Hindustani classical. Bhimsen Joshi was interested in music since a very young age and at the age of 11 he left home in search of a Guru. He found the apt teacher for him very close to his house. Under the tutelage of Savai Gandharva he learnt many ragas and perfected his tone, pitch and the best of Kirana gharana. Pt. Bhimsen joshi was awarded the prestigious Bharat Ratna award by the Govt. Of India for his achievements in the field of Hindustani Classical Music. Joshi was mostly a puritan when it came to Indian Classical Music. His music often injected surprising and sudden turns of phrase, for example through the unexpected use of boltaans. Over the years, his repertoire tended to favor a relatively small number of complex and serious ragas; however, he remained one of the most prolific exponents of Hindustani classical music. Pt.Bhimsen Joshi has perfected not just the Khayal interpretations but has also sung Bhajans in Hindi and Marathi. His bhajans are widely heard by not just ardent music lovers but people all over. This versatile singer has also recorded Kannada Dasa Krithis in Dasavani, which are usually sung by Carnatic musicians.

In this album Pt. Bhimsen Joshi has sung one of his favourite raga “Vrindavani Sarang”. Vrindavani Sarang is a Kafi thaat raga. The notes Ga and dha are not used in this raga. Its origin from thaat Kaafi is peculiar as it uses the shuddha form of "ni" in its Aaroha, whereas the komala form of "ni" and "ga" is the main characteristic of the Kaafi thaat. So it is possible to make a mistake in identifying its thaat as Khamaj. This complicated Raga has been executed brilliantly by the maestro. The other track that Panditji has recorded for this album is a Thumri. A Thumri is a light classical or semi classical format that is primarily song based. The Thumri that Pt. Bhimsen Joshi has recorded here is “Ab Ke Sawan”, a beautiful track that has been presented by Panditji in his trademark signature style. Overall this is a classic Hindustani Classical album that is a listener's delight.

== Tracks in this Album ==

► Raag - Vrindavani Sarang 0:00:03
Artist- Pt.Bhimsen Joshi

► Thumri – Ab Ke Sawan 0:50:55
Artist- Pt.Bhimsen Joshi