Jasraj

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Pandit Jasraj
British India
(now Fatehabad, Haryana, India)
Died17 August 2020(2020-08-17) (aged 90)
New Jersey
, U.S.
Occupation(s)Singer, music teacher, tabla player
Spouse
Madhura Shantaram
​
(m. 1962)​
Children
AwardsSee awards and honours
Musical career
GenresHindustani classical music
Instrument(s)singing, tabla
Years active1945–2020[3]
Websitewww.pjim.org

Pandit Jasraj (28 January 1930[4]  – 17 August 2020[5]) was an Indian classical vocalist, belonging to the Mewati gharana (musical apprenticeship lineage).[6] His musical career spanned 75 years resulting in national and international fame, respect and numerous major awards and accolades. His legacy includes memorable performances of classical and semi-classical vocal music, classical and devotional music, albums and film soundtracks, innovations in various genres including Haveli Sangeeth and popularizing the Mewati Gharana – a school of thought in Hindustani classical music. Pandit Jasraj taught music to amateur and professional students in India, Europe, Canada and the United States.

Early life

Jasraj was born on 28 January 1930

Vijeta Pandit. Pandit Pratap Narayan taught Jasraj to play tabla starting at age 7, but Jasraj decided that he wanted to only sing by 14.[12][13]

Jasraj spent his youth in

Thakur Sahib of Sanand, who was deeply dedicated to classical music,[16] and received training from him.[16][17]

In 1946, Jasraj moved to Calcutta, where he began singing classical music for radio.[15]

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.[18] They initially lived in Calcutta, moving to Bombay in 1963.[19] They had two children, a son, Shaarang Dev Pandit, a daughter, Durga Jasraj, and four grandchildren.[13]

Madhura made a film, Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj in 2009

Marathi film, Aai Tuza Ashirwad, in 2010, in which her husband and Lata Mangeshkar sang in Marathi.[21][22]

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.[23] He would frequently accompany Maniram in his solo vocal performances.[7] He credits the vocalist, Begum Akhtar, as inspiring him to take up classical music.[18]

Jasraj began training as a vocalist at the age of 14, after renouncing tabla in reaction to how accompanists were treated at the time .

Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah of Nepal in Kathmandu.[7][26][27] Before becoming a stage performer, Jasraj worked as a performing artist on radio for several years.[4]

He initially trained as a classical vocalist with Pandit Maniram, and later with Jaiwant Singh Waghela, a vocalist and beenkar,[15].

Technique and style

Jasraj in a concert at Bhubaneswar

Classical music

Although Jasraj belonged to the Mewati gharana, a school of music known for its traditional performances of

Musicologist S. Kalidas has noted, however, that this borrowing of elements across gharanas has now become more commonly accepted.[4]

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.[7][9] He was also known for presenting a variety of rare ragas including Abiri Todi and Patdeepaki.[28]

Semi-classical and popular music

In addition to performing classical music, Jasraj had worked to popularise innovations in semi-classical musical styles, such as Haveli Sangeet, which involves semi-classical performances in temples.[29] He had 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),[29] a duet with vocalist Bhimsen Joshi for the soundtrack of the film Birbal My Brother (1975),[30] and a ballad, Vaada Tumse Hai Vaada for a horror film titled 1920 (2008) directed by Vikram Bhatt.[29]

In memory of his father, Jasraj organised an annual musical festival called the Pandit Motiram Pandit Maniram Sangeet Samaroh in Hyderabad.[9][10] The festival has been held annually since 1972.[15]

A 2023 stamp of India featuring Jasraj (center)

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.[31]

Teaching

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

Jasraj tutored several students who have gone on to perform as classical musicians, including

flautist Shashank Subramanyam,[38][26] Anuradha Paudwal,[12] Sadhana Sargam,[25] and Ramesh Narayan.[39][37]

He was also the founder of schools for Indian classical music in

Tampa, Vancouver, Toronto, New York, New Jersey, Pittsburgh, Mumbai, and Kerala. Jasraj would spend six months of each year in the United States and Canada at either his home in New Jersey, teaching, or touring.[13][40][41] At age 90, he was teaching some of his international students through Skype.[42][14][43]

Death

Pandit Jasraj remained in the US when the country entered

its COVID-19 lockdown.[44] He died at his home in New Jersey on 17 August 2020 at 5:15 am EST, due to cardiac arrest.[45][46] His body was later repatriated on an Air India flight to Mumbai[47] where it was cremated with state honours and 21-gun salute at Pawan Hans Crematorium in Vile Parle.[1][2] The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi said that his death "leaves a deep void in the Indian cultural sphere. Not only were his renditions outstanding, he also made a mark as an exceptional mentor to several other vocalists."[48]

On 27 December 2023, Modi released a commemorative postage stamp to mark 50 years of Jasraj's music festival.[49]

Awards and honours

Discography

Performances in film soundtracks

Notes

  1. ^ Pili Mandori is now within the Fatehabad district.

References

  1. ^ a b Raghuvanshi, Aakanksha (20 August 2020). "Legendary Vocalist Pandit Jasraj Cremated With State Honours. Anup Jalota, Kailash Kher And Others Attend Funeral". NDTV. New Delhi. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Pandit Jasraj funeral: Legendary vocalist gets state funeral in Mumbai, Sanjay Leela Bhansali pays tribute". Hindustan Times. 20 August 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  3. ^ "Legendary Indian vocalist Pandit Jasraj passes away". Mumbai Live. 17 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d e f 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.
  5. ^ "Pandit Jasraj, 90, passes away in New Jersey; Modi mourns 'exceptional mentor'". The Economic Times. 17 August 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  6. ^ Kulkarni, Pranav (15 December 2008). "Pandit Jasraj casts magic spell". The Indian Express. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  7. ^ a b c d Sharma, Supriya (31 March 2017). "Pandit Jasraj on his life-long love for music". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  8. ^ "Fun Interview On Wishlist, Pandit Jasraj Talks Of Cricket, Deer And Krishna". NDTV (Interview). Interviewed by Radhika Bordia. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  9. ^ a b c Kumar, Ranee (1 December 2004). "A custom of culture". The Hindu.
  10. ^
    ISBN 978-0195666052
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  11. ^ "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.
  12. ^ a b c Pawar, Yogesh (15 March 2019). "Pt Jasraj's 90-year musical journey". DNA India. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  13. ^
    ISSN 0362-4331
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  14. ^ a b "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.
  15. ^ a b c d 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.
  16. ^ a b "The Master's Voice". Harmony — Celebrate Age (Interview). Interviewed by Rajashree Balaram. 1 November 2009.
  17. ^ "Pandit Jasraj: 'Music is what can take you to heaven'". gulfnews.com. 10 September 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  18. ^ a b "Raag Jasraj, in the maestro's voice". The Times of India (Interview). Interviewed by Anubha Sawhney. 27 December 2003. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  19. ^ "Jai ho! Jasraj". The Hindu (Interview). Interviewed by S. Priyadershini. 8 October 2007.
  20. ^ "Madhura Jasraj recounts life with the Maestro". Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India). 26 November 2009.
  21. ^ Nivas, Namita (10 September 2010). "Age no bar". The Indian Express.
  22. ^ "V Shantaram's daughter turns director". Hindustan Times. 26 October 2010. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  23. narthaki.com
     (Interview). Interviewed by Vijai Shanker. 6 September 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
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  28. ^ Mathur, Siddhartha (10 February 2012). "Unforgettable". The Indian Express. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  29. ^ a b c d e f Gaekwad, Manish (31 March 2017). "Cinema classical: Singing for the gods, Pandit Jasraj took time out to enthral mortals". Scroll.in. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
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  32. ^ "Sanjeev Abhyankar". Ragamala. Archived from the original on 26 August 2007. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  33. ^ "Bio | Kala Ramnath | The Singing Violin of Indian Classical Music". kalaramnath.com. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  34. ^ "NaadSadhana: A Tabla-Swarmandal AI/ML jugalbandi app for classical singers, trainees". 16 May 2019.
  35. ^ "Coronavirus | Na Corona Karo song goes viral on social media". The Hindu. 2 April 2020.
  36. ^ "Lokesh Anand". Dainik Bhaskar. Archived from the original on 26 August 2007. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
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  39. ^ "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.
  40. ^ Watts, Gabbie (27 July 2017). "Sangeetayan Promotes Indian Classical Music In Atlanta". WABE 90.1.
  41. ^ Rele, Nitish (May 2006). "Pandit Jasraj Looks to Enlighten Americans on Indian Music". Khaas Baat. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  42. ^ "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.
  43. ^ "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.
  44. ^ "Legendary classical vocalist Pandij Jasraj dies at 90". Press Trust of India. 17 August 2020.
  45. ^ "Pandit Jasraj passes away at 90". The Indian Express. 17 August 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  46. ^ "Music legend Pandit Jasraj, recipient of Padma Vibhushan award, passes away at the age of 90". www.timesnownews.com. 17 August 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  47. ^ "Pt Jasraj's mortal remains reach Mumbai, state funeral on Thursday". www.daijiworld.com. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  48. ^ @narendramodi (17 August 2020). "The unfortunate demise of Pandit Jasraj Ji leaves a deep void in the Indian cultural sphere" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  49. ^ "Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah releases a commemorative Postal Stamp, to mark 50 years of Pandit Jasraj's music festival – 'Pandit Motiram Pandit Maniram Sangeet Samaroha', in New Delhi today". pib.gov.in (Press release). 27 December 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  50. ^ a b c "Padma Awards Directory (1954–2017)" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs.
  51. ^ a b "Pandit Jasraj". Sangeet Natak Akademi. Archived from the original on 9 September 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  52. ^ "Marar, Jasraj bag awards". The Hindu. 12 March 2008.
  53. ^ "Pandit Jasraj gets Kerala Govt's award". Hindustan Times. 12 March 2008. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  54. ^ "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.
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  56. ^ "Pandit Jasraj given Pu La Deshpande lifetime achievement award". DNA India. 8 November 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
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  58. ^ a b "Orchestral symphony is very interesting: Pandit Jasraj". Hindustan Times (Interview). Interviewed by Debarun Borthakur. 18 November 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  59. ^ "Three music maestros get Marwar Sangeet Ratna Award". Hindustan Times. 11 December 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2019 – via PressReader.
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  61. ^ "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 300128 Panditjasraj (2006 VP32)" (26 February 2019 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
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Discography references

  1. ^ a b c d e f Romero, Angel (18 August 2018). "Artist Profiles: Pandit Jasraj". World Music Central. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  2. OCLC 652343767
    . Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  3. OCLC 881488955
  4. OCLC 31731043
  5. ^ "Kanha – Padma Vibhushan Pandit Jasraj Indian Classical Music / Hindustani Classical". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  6. OCLC 50315127
  7. OCLC 881489066
  8. OCLC 369698317
  9. OCLC 819532237
  10. OCLC 704701864
  11. OCLC 86082899
  12. ^ Gopalka, Kushal (29 December 2007). "Music Review | On an old note". Mint. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  13. OCLC 1098875065
  14. OCLC 823747327
  15. OCLC 662580006
  16. OCLC 475643917
  17. OCLC 652433351
  18. OCLC 85891441
  19. OCLC 53891975
  20. OCLC 45263860
  21. OCLC 418882680
  22. OCLC 873053602
  23. OCLC 27740578
  24. OCLC 23685849
  25. OCLC 814673923
    . Retrieved 22 August 2019.

Further reading

External links

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