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Vani Jayaram's songs

Topic started by avvaiyar (@ 203.116.61.132) on Wed Jan 27 02:29:28 EST 1999.
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

I'm a new visitor to this website. I couldn't see anyone discussing about Vani Jayaram's songs.
Let me start this one.(It had been there previously pls. forgive me!)

"Ezhu swarangalukkul ethanai paadal..
Ithaya surangathul ethanai kelvi...
Vaazhum manitharukkul ethanai salanam.."

Wow! Beautiful voice!

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Neel's VJ Songs

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Responses:

• Old responses
  
• From: AVR (@ 143.127.3.10) on: Fri Apr 12 05:05:37 EDT 2002
  
  Then why do u seem to dislike/disagree with IR's (or ARR's) choice of singers? BTW where did I accuse u of prejudice? U have been doing that all the way to me/others whenever i/they say anything u dont agree with fully. And yet at other times when I agree with u on some issues, u praise me so much...especially via email.
  
  I did not mean to talk about Ravi Shankar's language/music abilities in general. As a musician he is fantastic, though there have been insinuations against him/his style by some people. See how u misconstrue things! And why should one accept something blindly? I even pointed out cases of (glaring)mispronounciations in that song. And u came back with third party endorsements. Not everything that RS has done has always been 100% correct..and this was one (and might be even the ONLY) instance thereof.
  
  My "playing the devil" phrase was light-hearted. I wish u had got it that way. Alas!
  
  Of course u havent abused me directly, since u ARE a civil,respectable gentleman. Of course. But judging by the "tone" of your posts, your anger/indignance is all too evident!
  
  Didnt u talk about Janaki's anorexia in high pitches? No? And yet IR took her so often. Then shouldnt I say u are doubting IRs abilities to choose the correct singer? Thats the kind of argument u are making, and then it does have a "personal" tone...a tone that seems to suggest that the person has no right to express what he/she feels even if it is genuine/ supported by valid examples,arguments from one's listening experience. Because you assume that the decisions of a big-shot are always correct, when U feel it that way.
  
  And now read this statement and see what it suggests:
  "I guess it is about time the others here stepped in. They can read both our posts and decide for themselves where the prejudice is. "
  
  Why do u need others to step in? Can't u support your arguments on your own? Is this some kind of tug-of-war that you need more people on your side?
  
  Come one, Naaz, take my statements in the right spirit. And rest assured...not everyone is gonna agree with everything u feel about VJ. Yes, many including me will agree whole-heartedly that she is/was a legend. But that doesnt mean that everything she sang was perfect. Most of it was perfect, and some of it was beyond perfection...it was divine! But there was some bit that wasnt. And thats true for everyone.
  
  
• From: avr (@ 143.127.3.10) on: Fri Apr 12 05:58:12 EDT 2002
  
  >>I also like the way you avoided the the list of non-repeats by Gulzar I gave you...<<
  
  Okay...i forgot this one. But then there were others who took Rekha! (though her prime time was over by then.) Whereas my argument was that was the only movie for which Gulzar(as producer/director) worked with vani.
  
  
• From: ROTFL (@ 203.106.139.138) on: Fri Apr 12 07:18:27 EDT 2002
  
  Shabash! Sariyaana potti! :)
  
  
• From: s0 (@ 128.119.85.50) on: Fri Apr 12 08:48:17 EDT 2002
  
  Naaz-ukku neram sariyilla
  oops, translation for AVR, this is not a good time for Naaz.
  
  
• From: Neel D (@ 24.98.41.115) on: Fri Apr 12 08:58:30 EDT 2002
  
  Naaz,
  
  "angangaLE" is bt Jayachandran. The song was a hidden treasure. MD unknown.
  
  
• From: Naaz (@ 24.76.127.63) on: Fri Apr 12 10:02:15 EDT 2002
  
  AVR - Please wait a minute, guy:
  
  I did not bring up the "locatlites who speak the language for more than 10+ years..." bit. I gave you a list of localites - from Ravi Shankar, all the way to the organisers of the Meera Festival in Chittorgarh. All "localites" or "northies" But that didn't matter.
  
  I did not say - "moreover Gulzar did not go to her thereafter." I gave you a list of people who he hasn't gone back to - showing you how that did not mean much.
  
  I did not say - "I won't tell what Gulzar said on Zee TV recently..." I said don't. After all, you were the one against "third-party" endorsements (which calls into question the knowledge of Asha Kasbekar and Khalid Mohammed - two critics who have been regarded as astute commentators on music and cinema - not just in Maharashtra, but elsewhere.But never mind.) Why bring up what Gulzar said when you had categorically stated that others opinions didn't matter? And you could make up your mind by just "listening".Only you can answer that.
  
  I am not here to persuade you or to call into question your knowledge of music - both Hindustani or Carnatic. You asked me if I had a problem with the words you singled out - I said, to my Hindi/Urdu speaking heritage they didn't seem mispronounced. "You said ALL northies would disagree with me" (except perhaps RS, the critics, the people of Chittorgarh (they are not big shots)- and that is fine with me.) I can stand by - and also make my own arguments - as I have both the "formal" knowledge of music and "formal" education in the languages I speak.
  
  You said that "composers have had long-standing associations with other singers besides LM-AB." I offered you an explanation about how contracts/collaborations depend recording company/labels and how it is not just about wanting to form a partnership - there are other legal/monetary matters to consider. And it might also be up to the artiste - the choice of staying in an environment where s/he feels their artistic integrity to be compromised/curtailed.
  
  To say someone cannot reach the fourth octave without getting incomprehensible is not the same as saying they mispronounced the song. I hope you can see the difference. Listening to "pitches" does not require a grasp of language.
  
  You said you "RS is not beyond criticism." I said that's valid. Don't hold back. I am sure I can learn from you observations.
  
  You said that "are all northies and north MDs prejudiced/biased." I said I can have my views on that - but it is for others here to step in to judge if there is prejudice in the MDs - and also the evidence we both have put forward in our respective posts.
  
  Now, tell me how this is "personal" "misconstrued" - and the final salvo - my "tone". You see indignance where I only see thoroughness in addressing all your points - without name-calling, or saying you have "no right to express your feelings."
  
  No this is not a tug of war, AVR. As there is nothing at stake for me here. I know my hindi and my tamizh and my music training has given me enough confidence to hold my own. And yet, apparently, I am not taking it in the "right" spirit. Oh well, what's more to say?
  
  
  
  
• From: Priya (@ 198.23.26.253) on: Fri Apr 12 10:11:56 EDT 2002
  
  NeelD,
  
  Just a suggestion: Can't you download the songs sent by kik and post them also in your site.
  (Am I asking for too much?). Thanks.
  
  
• From: Naaz (@ 24.76.127.63) on: Fri Apr 12 10:32:42 EDT 2002
  
  Neel D, Please be patient - later today, as soon as I get some work out of the way, I will post the other reviews. One is in Hindi - and I need a bit of time to translate it "authentically."
  Thanks for the PJC confirmation, BTW.
  
  
• From: Naaz (@ 24.76.127.63) on: Fri Apr 12 18:11:39 EDT 2002
  
  Neel, Kik, Balaji, and others, here is the final instalment of the reviews I promised. I hope you find this illuminating (It is a long full page piece, and I am giving you a highlights version. You can look this up in its entirety from the daily's library if you wish. Just make note of the bibliographic details):
  
  Headline: Soulful Music by Vani Jairam
  Feature by: Dr. Susheela Misra,
  (Fellow, U.P. Sangeet Natak Academy. Sharangdev Fellow, Sur Singar Samsad, Bombay.)
  Published: November 25, 1994. The Hindu.
  
  Lead in: Vani Jairam's latest collection of Bindadin's compositions, Jayadeva's Ashtapadis and Marathi Bhajans makes for delightful listening...Suseela Misra listens and writes.
  
  Quote: "Vani Jairam's total commitment is to devotional music from any region of India - be it in Hindi, Brajbhasha, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. For this mission, the gods have blessed her with an extraordinarily melodious, soulful and wind-ranged voice capable of striking a response chord in every listener." End Quote.
  
  (Followed by a detailed description of VJs (now sold) Music Recording Company - Bani Centre - and a biography of Vani and her husband Jairam.)
  
  Quote: "Although Vani shot into limelight as the young and award-winning playback singer of Vasant Desai's excellent songs in the unforgettable film "Guddi" in 1970, she felt so disgusted by the detestable rat-race in the music world of Bollywood that the Jairams moved to Madras. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise because here, Vani's multilingual talents flowered..." Then there is a list of her work in the many languages of the south and the Awards/Recognition she won for Aboorva Raagangal, Shankarabharanam and...Quote: "the filmfare award for her songs in the hindi film "Meera" in 1980 for which she had the honour of being specially chosed by the music director Pt. Ravi Shankar himself." )
  
  Quote: "Recently Vani was in Lucknow for a concert after one of the "Yash Bharati Award" functions in which Pt. Birju Maharaj was one of the awardees. As expected, the duet of a Maharaj-Bindadin composition by Birju and Vani in this concert was a great hit." End Quote.
  Followed by a long paragraph about the VJ-BM collaboration on the Hori Songs album.
  Quote: "The solos and duets sung by Birju Maharaj and Vani Jairam were released as an album at a glittering function in Delhi, graced by artistes like Pt. Ravi Shankar, Kishan Maharaj and others." End Quote.
  
  Now we get to a detailed review of the album itself:
  Quote: "This album provides varied delights. It begins with a duet rendering by Vani and Birju of Binda's popular thumri (in fact, all his horis and thumris are popular all over the north) "Dekho Dekho! Hori ke Khilaiyyan Kaise Ban Ban Aaye" ushering in the playful romantic mood of Hori in Braj. There is no escape from this revelry for anyone in Braj. Though the song is said to be based on Misra Desh, the instrumental prelude has shades of Jaijaiwanti; the jhala and paltes on the sitar indicate the "paltes" in Kathak before each change of character or role as well as the alternating male and female voices on this track. It ends with "thihai" on "ban ban aaye." The tabla pieces are all typical of Kathak. Vani's melodious rendring of the tarana in Bhairavi in Adhdhataal interspersed with Birju's bol-recitations and tabla-pieces clearly reveal it to be a song ideally suited for a n item of pure dance. Vani's voice retains its tunefulness even in the very high notes, and the closing is done with an appealing alap in the notes of Bilaskhani." End Quote.
  
  Followed by an expository paragraph on Bindadin's poetry/lyricism.
  
  Quote: "Another popular composition of Bindadin Maharaj is the bhajan (in Roopak Taal) "Aiso Ram Hai Dukhharan," which Vani has sung in a blend of many appealing ragas - Badhams, Jog, Tilang. Vani's alaap in Misra Shivaranjani suggests the plaintive cry of Draupadi for protection by Krishna. The blend of ragas convey pathos, bhakti, supplication evocatively. "Dhaaye Gaho Shyam" in Brindavani Sarang and fast tempo is a sprightly duet by Vani and Birju conveying the urgency with which the Gopis are trying to catch Shyam whose captivating pranks have made them neglect their household chores. " End Quote
  
  Moving on to the Gita Govidam album. It is rather long, so I will just give you an highlight:
  
  Quote: "It is the style propogated by Odissi dancers and gurus that has been adopted for this album. Kelubabu's enticing pakhawaj catches your ears throughout, inspiring Vani to sing at her best." End Quote.
  
  Now the final Marathi Bhajans album.
  Quote: "The (album) Panduranga Vittala contains eight traditional Marathi bhajans, by Namdev, Eknath and Tukaram - set to music by Keshav Badge and sung by Vani with perfect enunciation and fervour. In all these renderings, Vani's crystal clear and melodiously soothing voice with its wide range and authentic diction never ceases to amaze one. " End Quote.
  
  The full-page review ends with a note on VJs personality, with Misra concluding: "her warm friendliness unspoilt by success and celebrity status."
  
  (Now I need to take a coffee-break. The final "Hindi" review in English, eerezhu nimidangalil :-))
  
  I apologise for typos and omissions. Please ask me if you need any clarifications.
  
  
• From: Naaz (@ 24.76.127.63) on: Fri Apr 12 18:54:25 EDT 2002
  
  Final review from my research files:
  I am only presenting the VJ part of this review ( the piece is a complete review of the festival in Lucknow, which featured Ustad Bismillah Khan, Birju Maharaj, Girija Devi and Vani Jairam - all presenting live evening concerts. For those of you who would like to have a "transliteration" in the Hindi phonemes, please let me know through my email: naaz99@yahoo.com). This is my translation from Hindi to English.
  
  Published in the Dhainik Jaagran - a Lucknow Daily.
  Dated 4th November 1994.
  
  Concert Review by Krishna Mohan Misra
  
  (Here are the sections which highlight Birju Maharaj-Vani Jairam presentations.)
  
  Quote:
  "The Dancer Face of Birju Maharaj is famous all over India; but on rare occasions the rasiks also get to see his Singer Face. Yesterday evening, the rasiks had the good fortune of seeing this wish fulfilled. The evening's festivites came to a close with a recital of bhakti-drenched bhajans by superlative singer Vani Jairam. It was in the middle of this concert that Birju Maharaj made his appearance on stage to join her in a duet penned by Bindadin Maharaj - "Dekho Hori Ke Khilaiyyan Kaise Ban Ban Aaye." Vani Jairam is an established name in both Uttar and Dakshin singing, and she presented an extrordinary recital with Birju Maharaj.
  Vani Jairam began the concert with an invocation to Lord Ganesh. After that she presented a selection of diving bhajans: "Shyam Bin Palak Na Lage Mori,"Tune Naam Japan Kyon Chhod Diya" - and she cast her magic on the audience. A fine example of Vani'ji's perfection and emotion was the presentation of slokas from Jayadeva's Gita Govindam. This was the highlight of a mesmerising performance overall. She concluded her concert with a bhajan based on Shiv Sthruthi, and made her pranaams to the audience with Ramgun. Accompanying her on the stage were Dharamnath Misra on the Harmonium and Sheetal Prasad Misra on the tabla." End Quote.
  
  My heartiest and choicest wishes to you all for a fulfilling, prosperous and memorable Tamizh New Year's Day...And a year full of new beginnings and happy endings.
  
  It's been a real pleasure getting to know you all.
  
  Naaz
  
  

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