TUGGING THE HEARTSTRINGS: At the launch of Samvedna

This album could safely be hailed as an amalgamation of great minds: a preface by Javed Akhtar in the rich baritone of superstar Amitabh Bachchan, words by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, music by Jagjit Singh and a video shot by Yash Chopra, that stars Shah Rukh Khan. The poems have been culled from Vajpayee's book Meri Ikyavan Kavitayaen. "I selected the songs which could be put to music. The project was started a year ago but I finished the album in two months," says Singh. Interspersed in the album is Vajpayee's own narrative in which he recounts the events and emotions that inspired each of his poems.

The poignant song in the album is Door kahin koi rota hai, written while Vajpayee was undergoing treatment at a hospital during the Emergency. Mournful voices would wake him up in the early hours. He found out that the wailing people were relatives of the patients who had died the previous night and were being handed over the bodies. Touched, Vajpayee penned these lines. They have now been given a soulful voice by Singh who carries the listener along, evoking overwhelming emotions. "It's not my voice but the truth in the notes of music that appeals to listeners," says the ghazal maestro."I try to be truthful to my notes. The voice comes from the heart." The video has been picturised on the song Kya khoya kya paya, earlier included in the album Nai Disha. "I was overawed by the prime minister as an artist. He is a sensitive person with no hangups," says Singh, who has wonderfully captured the essence of each poem in his voice filled with pathos.

-S. Sahaya Ranjit

Q&A
ANOUSHKA SHANKAR
"My Father's Shadow Is Not Horrible"

Anoushka Shankar's album Live At Carnegie Hall, released by EMI, features two ragas: Madhuvanti and Desh, and a tabla duet. Raga Mishra Piloo recorded at the Salisbury Festival in England. She spoke to S. Sahaya Ranjit about life as her father's daughter, her other passions and audiences abroad.

Q. What is it like to be compared to Panditji?
A. It is a great feeling but I hate it when people ask me how it feels to live under the shadow of my father as if his shadow is something horrible.

Q. How is he as a teacher and a father?
A. As a teacher he is not unreasonably strict but expects hard work and excellence. In fact, the roles of teacher and father blend into each other.

Q. How do you find the audience in the UK and the US?
A. The UK has the best audience. They are passionate about Indian music. In the US it depends on where I play but the people are warm and I love the way they applaud at the end of the concert. It was a great experience to play an eight-minute solo piece at the World Economic Forum.

Q. What are your favourite ragas?
A. My father's composition, Tilak Shyam, Kirwani and Charukeshi.

Q. What do you like apart from music?
A. I read a lot, like to go dancing and meeting friends. I am also writing a book on my father. Basically, just chilling.

Gangubai Hangal
HMV;
Rs 70
Past 90 and Hangal's voice still retains its original vigour. Excellent compilation from 78 rpm records.

Vasantha Guhane
VMT; Rs 50
Carnatic vocalist P. Unnikrishnan sings in praise of God Murugan. Vasantha kalam is the pick.

Nachoon Sari Sari Raat
Virgin; Rs 75
Folk music by Shubha Mudgal to the rhythm of western instruments.

Kya Yehi Pyaar Hai
Tips; Rs 40
Soothing melodies. The qawwali by the Sabri Brothers is the high point of the album.

Aradhana
Music Today; Rs 75
Devaki Pandit sings stutis and mantras invoking Mahakali. Worth listening to.
Reverberations