An era has ended, truly. Pandit Jasraj had a voice which expressed any emotion in any range. And even as fans worldwide are trying to come to terms with the sudden news of his passing, we bring you 10 songs picked by Narendra Kusnur that he had mastered over the years, often reciting his trademark ‘Jai Ho’ before starting them
1. Mangalam Bhagwan Vishnu
A shloka with the lines ‘Mangalam Bhagwan Vishnu, Mangalam Garuda Dhwaja, Mangalam Pundari Kaaksho, Mangalaay Tano Hari’. Normally it’s sung in the morning, but Jasraj also sang it often at the beginning of concerts.
2. Mero Allah Meherban
Composed in raag Bhairav, this was a favourite at morning concerts. “Mero Allah meherbaan, koi bigaad sakat nahin tero”, he sang, often with back-up vocalists repeating the line to create a mesmerising effect.
3. Om Namoh Bhagavate Vasudevaya
An eternal favourite in raag Bhimpalasi, this again has Jasraj leading from the front, and his disciples singing after that. It’s rendition always gave a temple atmosphere and the audience would invariably song along on the main line.
4. Hanuman Lalla
A Hanuman stuti bhajan in raag Jog, it begins “Hanuman lalla mere pyare lalla”. The maestro had sung this at an online Hanuman Jayanti Facebook show organised earlier this year during the lockdown when he was in the US, and was perfect in its rendition.
5. Pavan Poot Hanuman
One of his most soothing khayals set in raag Hansadhwani. “Poot Pawan tum doot Ram ke”, he sings, and the raag builds up slowly and majestically. The drut khayal “Le ja re bhadra sandeshwa” is also fascinating.
6. Vraje Vasantham
A Krishna bhajan, this one in Mishra Kafi dazzles with the line “Vraje Vasantham nabanita corum”. The ‘Krishna Krishna’ climax takes listeners into another zone.
7. Mata Kalika
Much requested in concerts, this madhyalaya composition in Adana is dedicated to Goddess Kali. The line “Jagat janani Bhawani Bhawani Bhawani” is steeped In devotional fervour. Both Jasraj’s solo recording and his rendition with disciple Tripti Mukherjee are popular.
8. Mai Saanwari Rang Rachi
This Meera bhajan in raag Bhairavi was also used in Jaidev’s Geet Govind, composed by Jasraj in the 1970s. It’s been a concert regular ever since. “Gaya kumatda Radha sangat, Shyam preet jaga saachi”, go the lyrics.
9. Niranjani NarayaniÂ
This one is dedicated to Goddess Durga. It was composed by Jasraj’s brother, the late Pandit Maniram, and written by Maharana Jaywant Singh Vaghela of Sanand, Gujarat. It has often been requested by fans.
https://youtu.be/MDTzsrO7ack
10. Sumiran Kar Le
Jasraj excelled in this Guru Nanak bhajan in raag Bhairavi. “Deh naina bin raina chandra bin, mandir deep bin, jaise pandit ved bina, taise prani Hari naam bina”, he sings. Divine.
Dear seniors, it’s. Nature ‘s call,really it.is a great loss to the music lovers, god will give another jesraj in future- blessings too all.