A person’s greatest piece of art done with masterly skill is called a ‘masterpiece’. An artiste creating a masterpiece requires an exceptional combination of outstanding skill and unparalleled creativity. In other words, this artiste may be described as a genius. A masterpiece transcends the limitations of time and space. In this series of ‘Classical Masterpieces’ we are privileged to present artistes whose music continues to invigorate the senses, for years after being created.
Renowned as the most important Kirana Gharana vocalist duo of 20th century, the brothers Ustad Fayyaz Ahmed Khan and Ustad Niyaz Ahmed Khan received their training in music from their father, Ustad Bashir Ahmed Khan. At the tender age of 9, Ustad Fayyaz Ahmed Khan’s sonorous voice was being broadcast nationally by All India Radio. Hailing from a musically rich tradition, the brothers belonged to the Kirana Gharana. The Khan brothers have performed and recorded together frequently, and with great success. One of their duet recordings has been listed as one of the best-selling recordings of Indian vocal music in history. The compositions of Fayyaz Ahmed Khan, or Gunarang, are very special and bear his unmistakable stamp. The disciplined and austere life style of Niyaz Ahmed Khan earned him the title of Maulana. His forte was a systematic and meticulous style of raga development, but that did not stop him from adding emotion to his rendition when it came to presenting a thumri. Once, his concluding piece at a concert in Bombay was the famous ‘jamuna ke teer’ in Bhairavi which left everybody in the audience moist-eyed. That was the power of Niyaz Ahmed Khan’s musical prowess.
As a recognition of his brilliance, the Govt. of India bestowed the Padmashri on Ustad Fayyaz Ahmed Khan. Ustad Niyaz Ahmed Khan was the recipient of the Hafiz Ali award and the Tansen award.
Spontaneity was the hallmark of their performances together as they seldom discussed or rehearsed what they were going to sing together.
Carrying forward their rich legacy are their disciples, Ustad Mohammed Dilshad Khan, music director Khayyam, the late Mahendra Kapoor and Kishori Parikh, as well as Talat Aziz, Roop Kumar Rathod, Sonali Rathod, Purvi Parikh, Madhurani and many others.
CD 1 opens with the morning raga Bairagi-Bhairav. This is a sub melody of the main raga Bhairav. It has a serene and dignified mood. The maestros open this raga with a composition confined to a rhythm consisting of ten beats which is known as Jhaptaal.
This is followed by an evening melody in raga Yaman depicting serene mood. The two compositions are set to the vilambit jhoomra and drut teentaal. The concluding melody is based on the popular night raga Bageshree.
CD 2 comprises four ragas. The first two melodies are based on morning ragas. Opening with raga Todi which is considered one of the most popular among the morning ragas, what follows is a track in raga Jaunpuri. The rare raga Chandraprabha is a musical treat. The concluding thumri in Raga Madhyam Bhairavi, sung by the duo, is a befitting closure to this extra-ordinary album.
All the recordings included herein are yesteryears’ long play recordings while three ragas being presented for the first time on CD format.
An album featuring such luminaries from the world of classical music is worthy of being treasured for generations. Thus justifying its inclusion in this unique series, aptly called ‘Classical Masterpieces’.
CD 1 1. Raga –Bairagi –Bhairav [1963] Khayal Vilambit Jhaptaal “Mat Kar Gumaan” Khayal Drut Teentaal ‘Tere Naam Ke Saharo”
2. Raga – Yaman [1963] Khayal Vilambit Jhoomra “Guniyan Ki Sangat” Khayal Drut Teentaal “Kal Nahi Aye”
3. Raga –Bageshwari [1973] Khayal Vilambit Jhoomra “Kaun Bandhaye Dheer” Khayal Drut Teentaal “Milan Ki Beriya”
CD 2 1. Raga –Todi [1973] Khayal Vilambit Jhoomra “Mere Man Yahu Rat Re” Tarana Teentaal
2. Raga –Jaunpuri [1970] Khayal Vilambit Ektaal “Manva Mora” Khayal Drut Teen Taal “Ae Tum Kahe Rahe”
3. Raga –Chandra Prabha [1970] Khayal Vilambit Jhaptaal “Samai Saman” Khayal Drut Teentaal “Kab Daras Deho Chandrabhan”
4. Raga –Madhyam Bhairavi [1970] Thumri –Roopak Taal “Mohe Chhod Gae Majdhar”
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