Lyrical Traditions of Bihar
Dhrupad is the oldest existing form of north Indian classical music. The Dhrupad tradition is a major heritage of Indian culture. The origin of this music is linked to the recitation of Sama Vedda, the sacred Sanskrit text.
Dhrupad is the oldest vocal and instrumental style, and the form from which Indian classical music originated. The continuity of Dhrupad, a contemplative and meditative form, has been sustained by traditions of devotional music and worship.
Indeed, the leading Dhrupad maestros remark that rather than to entertain the audience, Dhrupad’s purpose is ‘Aradhana’ or worship. The nature of Dhrupad music is spiritual, seeking not to entertain but to induce deep feelings of peace and contemplation in the listener.
The word ‘Dhrupad’ is derived from ‘dhruva’ (fixed steadfast) and ‘pada’ (word, composition). Dhrupad probably evolved from the earlier chants of “Om”, the sacred syllable which is claimed in Hindu canon to be the source of all creations. ‘Om”” is said to have a spiritually-purifying effect on the person chanting it .
A Vocal Dhrupad performance begins with a meditative “alaap” in which the artiste develops the “raga”, note by note, without any instrumental accompaniment except the drone of the tanpira. The stress is on developing each note with purity and clarity.
To quote Ustad Zia fariduddin Dagar, “Alaap entails the search to get the most perfect pitch of every note. It takes you into a sort of meditation in which you are lost in the waves of sound and forget everything. There remains only sound.”
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Also, please have a glance at the article below which may interest you.
From Sienne to Gandak For the Love of Music
A few years ago, Bettiah, which lies in the hinterland of the Gandak river, experienced a lyrical synergy in a melodious confluence when Carina Behar, a younger lady from Paris on the bank of the River Sienne, came calling just for the love of music. This Pandit Indra Kishore Mishra, the last maestro, of Bettiah gharana of Dhrupad singing, received his first ‘ shishya’ or disciple from overseas !
The is journey of the French girl surnamed Behar to Bihar is a lilting saga of destination Bihar, a home waiting to be visited, the experience a virtual symphony of old world charm and culture.
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