Thumri singer Dhanashree Pandit Rai believes that one can find a raag even in Bollywood songs. In a freewheeling chat, she aims to break all myths surrounding Indian classical music .
Trained under the Kirana Gharana’s Pandit Firoz Dastur and thumri legend Shobha Gurtu, renowned thumri singer Dhanashree Pandit Rai aspires to educate people about Indian classical music in a unique way. She believes raag, which is the core of Indian music, is an element present throughout musical creatives, Bollywood or western.
A humble heart and voice, Dhanashree has no dearth of awards. She has been an awardee of Pillars of Hindustani Society by the Trans Asian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for her contribution to vocal Hindustani classical music. And now, hosting a talk titled That Which Pleases feels like it comes only naturally to her.
“The Sanskrit text has given it a very simple definition, which directly translates to ‘that which pleases’,” she says, as she explains the meaning of a raag. “Raag is nothing but a combination of note that constitutes a melody and is the core of Indian classical music,” she says. “Raag has a connection with day and night, a connection with seasons. We are lucky to have this concept in our culture. It has so many dimensions,” she says.
Even as the meaning might seem vague to music novices, Dhanashree says that the element itself isn’t so elusive. “Sometimes, there are raags in advertisements jingles and even in Bollywood songs,” she begins. Take for instance radio chart’s favourite song for months at a stretch Jag Ghoomeya. “The song was based on raag Madhmad Sarang. In Dhoom Machale, the raag Bhairavi is elemental in the song. Even the common shehnai tune that one hears in marriages is based on raag Malkauns,” she says. Songs like Ed Sheeran’s Shape of You, is roughly based on raag Bhimpalasi, Coldplay’s Yellow is quite similar to raag Pahadi, and the famous The Beatles song Norwegian Wood is based on raag Bageshri, elaborates Dhanshree.
It is completely fair if all these facts feel daunting. Indian classical musical is almost always deemed intimidating. But, if that keeps you from exploring the spectrum, Dhanashree assures it is one step at a time. “While it is true that the concept of raag seems unclear to the lay listener, it is a hurdle that could easily be crossed,” she says. “In a single session, one can learn how to recognise a raag.” Having performed in leading musical institutions in the country and abroad, the singer through this session aims to break myths surrounding Indian classical music.
Dhanashree, who has collaborated with international artists such as pianist and composer Merlin D’Souza, says that these creative collaborations come with benefits. “Collaborating with western artistes is a healthy thing. The only thing is you have to do it in the discipline,” she says.
The discussion by Junoon Theatre will take place on November 12, 5 pm onwards, at Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Byculla (E)
