This video features Dilip Das, a traditional Dhaki drummer from Bengal. The Dhak is a barrel drum made from buffalo hide and goat skin, and is played using bamboo sticks. The drum patterns played by these musicians are an important part of the festivities associated with Durga Puja in Bengal. This video showcases how the instrument is made, some drum patterns, and the lifestyle of one of the many artists living the tradition. This video was shot in Kolkata, and is produced by Underscore Records with the generous support from the Ford Foundation.

Dilip Das was featured at Baajaa Gaajaa 2012 in Pune. For more information, please visit:

www.BaajaaGaajaa.com
www.UnderscoreRecords.com

Interview: Dr. Aneesh Pradhan
Camera – Editing: Sudev Sheth

Featured here is Avadhoot Gandhi from Alandi, Maharashtra. He is accompanied by Bhavarth Dekhane & Vijay Sonavne (vocals), Haridas Shinde (dimdi, sambal, vocals), Abhay Nalge (harmonium), Rajesh Baghe (pakhawaj), and Pandurang Pawar (tabla). Saint Dnyaneshwar was a 13th century Hindu saint whose religious commentaries are seen as significant contributions to Marathi literature. The musicians were featured at Baajaa Gaajaa 2012. Produced by Underscore Records with support from the Ford Foundation.

For more information, visit:

www.BaajaaGaajaa.com
www.UnderscoreRecords.com

This video features Prachi Dublay, Ashok Gaikwad, and Nilesh Deshpande performing Adivasi music from the Tejgadh district in Gujarat. The repertoire presented by Prachi Dublay is interpretive, and comes from collaborative work she has done with tribal artists and community members at the Tejgadh Adivasi Academy in Gujarat. This performance took place at Baajaa Gaajaa 2012 in Pune.

Interviewer – Camera – Editing by Sudev Sheth

This videocast is made possible by the generous support of the Ford Foundation.

Featured is Chand Nizami & Hamsar Hayat, qawwali singers from Nizamuddin Auliya’s shrine in Delhi, India.

This video was shot on a small Nikon digital camera in August 2006. The video quality is not good, but the music is.

Lyrical Outline:

Is Karam Ka Karoon Shukr Kaise Adaa
Jo Karam Mujhpe Mere Nabi Kar Diya

Main Sajaata Tha Sarkar Ki Mehfilein
Mujhko Har Gham Se Rab Ne Bari Kar Diya

Zikr-E-Sarkaar Ki Hain Badi Barkatein
Mil Gayi Raah Mein, Rehmatein Azmatein

Main Gunaah Gaar Tha, Be Amal Tha, Magar
“Mustafa” Ne Mujhe Jannati Kar Diya

Is Karam Ka Karoon Shukr Kaise Adaa
Jo Karam Mujhpe Mere Nabi Kar Diya

Lamha Lamha Hai Mujhpar Nabi Ki Ataa
Doston Aur, Maangu Main Maula Se Kyaa

Kya Ye Kam Hai Ke Mere Khuda Ne Mujhe
Apne Mehboob Ka Ummati Kar Diya

Is Karam Ka Karoon Shukr Kaise Adaa
Jo Karam Mujhpe Mere Nabi Kar Diya

Rambhau Pawar

Religious and folk music genres have always involved communities at large and the pursuit in music in such cases is not necessarily restricted to professionals. The story of Rambhau Pawar is one such instance. Based in Satara, Maharashtra, Rambhau Pawar pursued his passion for music, despite being employed in the government administrative setup. His abiding interest in the bhajan tradition of the Varkari sampradaya from Maharashtra and the close association he forged with noted musicians, helped him discover his musical identity.

This videocast is made possible by the generous support of the Ford Foundation.

Ashok Da. Ranade (1937-2011) was a Hindustani classical vocalist, musicologist, voice-culture expert, and an ethnomusicologist. He composed music for plays, documentaries and films. His writings in Marathi and English on music and theatre are widely appreciated and read throughout India and the world. Broad cultural vision, rigorous analysis, clarity and thought provoking presentations are his strengths. He seeks to explore everything that is touched by music.

Dr. Ranade’s publications include: Sangeetache Saundaryashastra (1971), Loksangeetshastra (1975), Stravinskyche Sangeetik Saundaryashastra (1975), On Music and Musicians of Hindoostan (1984), Marathi Stage Music (1986), Maharashtra: Art Music (1989), Keywords and Concepts: Hindustani Classical Music (1990), Music and Drama in India (1991), Indology and Ethnomusicology: Contours of the Indo-British Relationship (1992), Bhashanrang-Vyaspeeth te Rangpeeth (1995), Hindustani Music (1998), and Essays in Indian Ethnomusicology (1998).

He also has audio albums to his credit: Baithakichi Lavani (1989), Devgani (1991), a multimedia album on Gangubai Hangal (1998) and Devi Ahilyabai (2005)- a soundtrack.

This video features Yuvraj Pujari and group from Washi District, Kolhapur city, Maharashtra. These artists belong to the Dhangar community, known for their traditional occupation of shepherding. In the evenings when the males gather, they sing and dance to entertain themselves. The younger members like Yuvraj Pujari have learned these traditional art forms by observing the elders of the community.

The featured artists include:

Yuvraj Pujari, Krishnath Range, Vitthal Pujari, Anil Pujari, Santosh Pujari, Irappu Pujari, Dhanashri Range, Sager Pujari, Vasudev Pujari, Mahendra Pujari, Ragunath Dhanager, Shivaji Range, Kashinath Range, Ashok Pujari, Datta Range

Baajaa Gaajaa: Music from 21st Century India is an annual three day event organized by Underscore Records Pvt. Ltd.

Baajaa Gaajaa is dedicated to the diversity of Indian music, and to independent artistes and record labels in India. Started in 2009 by vocalist Shubha Mudgal and tabla player Aneesh Pradhan, the Festival features the following events in a span of three days:

- An expo featuring independent artistes, record labels, organizations, institutions, instrument makers, dealers and others
- Three specially curated evening performances at the splendid Ishanya amphitheater
- Open Stage performances every day for which artistes can register to perform
- Seminars on themes focusing on Indian music
- Film screenings followed by discussions with the Directors.

Other episodes in this series of videocasts will feature other forms of music and activities showcased at Baajaa Gaajaa 2011.

Interviewer — Camera — Editing by Sudev Sheth

This videocast is made possible by the generous support of the Ford Foundation.

This video showcases singers Bharghav Kamade (video left), Tanaji Bedekar (video center), and Mangal Bedekar (right). These performers are traditional jogtes from the Renuka temple in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. Goddess Renuka, also known as Yellamma, is the deity of the ‘fallen’ in the Hindu pantheon. They are playing the chonka. This is an open drum to which an iron string is attached. The string is plucked using a wooden pick, and various pitches are created depending on how far the string is pulled back and forth.

Baajaa Gaajaa: Music from 21st Century India is an annual three day event organized by Underscore Records Pvt. Ltd.

Baajaa Gaajaa is dedicated to the diversity of Indian music, and to independent artistes and record labels in India. Started in 2009 by vocalist Shubha Mudgal and tabla player Aneesh Pradhan, the Festival features the following events in a span of three days:

- An expo featuring independent artistes, record labels, organizations, institutions, instrument makers, dealers and others
- Three specially curated evening performances at the splendid Ishanya amphitheater
- Open Stage performances every day for which artistes can register to perform
- Seminars on themes focusing on Indian music
- Film screenings followed by discussions with the Directors.

Other episodes in this series of videocasts will feature other forms of music and activities showcased at Baajaa Gaajaa 2011.

Interviewer — Camera — Editing by Sudev Sheth

This videocast is made possible by the generous support of the Ford Foundation.

This video showcases artists Sanjay Awale, Sachin Awale, and Amit Awale. These performers are traditional folk percussion artists from Kolhapur, Maharashtra. Sanjay Awale, video center, is playing the Halgi.

Baajaa Gaajaa: Music from 21st Century India is an annual three day event organized by Underscore Records Pvt. Ltd.

Baajaa Gaajaa is dedicated to the diversity of Indian music, and to independent artistes and record labels in India. Started in 2009 by vocalist Shubha Mudgal and tabla player Aneesh Pradhan, the Festival features the following events in a span of three days:

- An expo featuring independent artistes, record labels, organizations, institutions, instrument makers, dealers and others
- Three specially curated evening performances at the splendid Ishanya amphitheater
- Open Stage performances every day for which artistes can register to perform
- Seminars on themes focusing on Indian music
- Film screenings followed by discussions with the Directors.

Other episodes in this series of videocasts will feature other forms of music and activities showcased at Baajaa Gaajaa 2011.

Interviewer — Camera — Editing by Sudev Sheth

This videocast is made possible by the generous support of the Ford Foundation.

Featured here are singers Somabhai Pawar and his brother Kherubhai Pawar. They are from a community of tribals known as Dang. They come from the Dang district of southern Gujarat. Somabhai plays the copper thali, known as Thaali Vaadan, while singing traditional narratives about famous rulers and deities. Somabhai, a fourth generation artist, learned this art form from his father and grandfather. When asked whether his kids are learning music from him, Somabhai replies by saying that because there is little public support for such an art form, the youngsters in his home and community are not interested in following Somabhai’s footsteps.

Baajaa Gaajaa: Music from 21st Century India is an annual three day event organized by Underscore Records Pvt. Ltd.

Baajaa Gaajaa is dedicated to the diversity of Indian music, and to independent artistes and record labels in India. Started in 2009 by vocalist Shubha Mudgal and tabla player Aneesh Pradhan, the Festival features the following events in a span of three days:

- An expo featuring independent artistes, record labels, organizations, institutions, instrument makers, dealers and others
- Three specially curated evening performances at the splendid Ishanya amphitheater
- Open Stage performances every day for which artistes can register to perform
- Seminars on themes focusing on Indian music
- Film screenings followed by discussions with the Directors.

Other episodes in this series of videocasts will feature other forms of music and activities showcased at Baajaa Gaajaa 2011.

Interviewer — Camera — Editing by Sudev Sheth

This videocast is made possible by the generous support of the Ford Foundation.