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The very best of Pt Jasraj (Music Today)
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PANDIT Jasraj is one of the most versatile exponents of Hindustani classical music. He excels himself when he is immersed in bhakti ras. Some of his most popular bhajans have been compiled here. Listening to them is a divine experience indeed.

The two-album set begins with Guru Vandana, and then goes on to an exhilarating chant, Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudeva, which has been mentioned by Pt Jasraj himself as his favourite. As its ecstatic crescendo goes sky high, you can feel the dawn of spiritual bliss.

Surdas’ composition Rani tero chirjeeyo Gopal, recounting Lord Krishna’s childhood, is the finest example of bhakti ras. Pt Jasraj has rendered it with unique serenity and elegance. Equally powerful are Gokul mein bajat kahan badhai and Shyam Murari.

The second album reverbrates with a 32-minute-long Govind Damodar. The side B has Adi Dev Namostutam as well as Mero Allah Meherbaan, which has moved masses as well as classes over the years.

These bhajans by Padma Vibhushan Pandit Jasraj were recorded live at Swarutsav 2003.

A.R. Rahman keeps on surprising his fans. In this film, he combines his mastery over raga with funky beats and comes up with several startling tunes.

The most accomplished of them is Nachley, sung in two versions by Daler Mehndi and Kunal Ganjawala. It is a difficult song all the way. If you are deceived by its "simplicity," just try to hum along.

Asha Bhosle is as young as she was four decades back when she renders Offho jalta hai along with Sonu Nigam.

The film is aimed at the young. So are the solos like Shehzade (Kunal Ganjawala) and Rozana (Viva). Shaan and Kavita give a good account of themselves in both versions of Paigham. The lyrics are by Mehboob.

To coincide with the festival, Venus came out with this VCD of Holi songs from films. Eleven songs like Aaj na chhodenge bas hamjoli (Kati Patang), Aayee re aayee re Holi (Zakhmee), Rang barse bheege chunar wali (Silsila), Jai Jai Shiv Shankar (Aap Ki Kasam), Aaya Holi ka tyohar (Navrang), Holi ke din dil mil jaate hain (Sholay) and Tan ranglo (Kohinoor) have been picturised on G.C. Dubey, Gaurav, Naveen, Pooja, Reena, Gunjan and Sonali.

The boys and girls dace animatedly but the camerawork leaves a lot to be desired.