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Jasraj
Pandit Jasraj Performing atIndira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya,Bhopal in Poonam-35 Program (2015)
Born(1930-01-28)28 January 1930
Hisar,Punjab,British India
(nowFatehabad, Haryana,India)
Died17 August 2020(2020-08-17)(aged 90)
New Jersey,U.S.
Occupation(s)Singer, music teacher, tabla player
Spouse
Madhura Shantaram
​
(m.1962)​
Children
[1][2]
RelativesPandit Maniram(brother)Vasant Kumar Pandit(Cousin)
AwardsSeeawards and honours
Musical career
GenresHindustani classical music
Instrument(s)singing,tabla
Years active1945–2020[3]
Websitewww.pjim.org

Jasraj(28 January 1930[4]– 17 August 2020[5]) was an Indianclassical vocalist,belonging to theMewati gharana(musical apprenticeship lineage).[6]His musical career spanned 75 years resulting in national and international fame, respect and numerous major awards and accolades. His legacy includes memorable performances of classical and semi-classical vocal music, classical and devotional music, albums and film soundtracks, innovations in various genres includingHaveli Sangeethand popularizing theMewati Gharana– a school of thought in Hindustani classical music. Pandit Jasraj taught music to amateur and professional students in India, Europe, Canada and the United States.

Early life[edit]

Jasraj was born on 28 January 1930[4]in Pili Mandori, a village in the thenHisar district(now inFatehabad district) ofHaryana,[note 1]in an artistic family toPandit Motiram,a classical singer and Krishna Bai.[7][8]He was the youngest of three sons, in a family of classical singers. Motiram died in 1934 when Jasraj was four, on the day he was to be appointed as the state musician in the court ofMir Osman Ali Khan.[9][10][11]His eldest brother was vocalistPandit Maniram,who instructed Jasraj after the death of their father. Jasraj's elder brother,Pandit Pratap Narayan,was also an accomplished musician and was the father of music composer duoJatin–Lalit,singer-actressSulakshana Panditand actressVijeta Pandit.Pandit Pratap Narayan taught Jasraj to play tabla starting at age 7, but Jasraj decided that he wanted to only sing by 14.[12][13]

Jasraj spent his youth inHyderabad,and travelled often toSanandinGujaratto study music with musicians of theMewati gharana.[14][15]Jasraj performed forMaharajJaywant Singh Waghela,theThakur Sahibof Sanand, who was deeply dedicated to classical music,[16]and received training from him.[16][17]

In 1946, Jasraj moved toCalcutta,where he began singing classical music for radio.[15]

Personal life[edit]

Jasraj with his wife Madhura on the stage of Satsang Bhawan in Govind Dev Ji Temple, Jaipur (2011).

In 1962, Jasraj marriedMadhura Shantaram,the daughter of film directorV. Shantaram,whom he had first met in 1960 inBombay.[18]They initially lived in Calcutta, moving to Bombay in 1963.[19]They had two children, a son, Shaarang Dev Pandit, a daughter,Durga Jasraj,and four grandchildren.[13]

Madhura made a film,Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasrajin 2009[20]and directed her firstMarathi film,Aai Tuza Ashirwad,in 2010, in which her husband andLata Mangeshkarsang inMarathi.[21][22]

Career[edit]

Jasraj at theIndira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav SangrahalayaPoonam-35,Bhopal,in 2015

Training[edit]

Jasraj was initiated into vocal music by his father, and later trained as atablaaccompanist under his elder brother, Pandit Pratap Narayan.[23]He would frequently accompany Maniram in his solo vocal performances.[7]He credits the vocalist,Begum Akhtar,as inspiring him to take up classical music.[18]

Jasraj began training as a vocalist at the age of 14, after renouncing tabla in reaction to how accompanists were treated at the time.[24][25]He would practice singing close to 14 hours a day. In 1952 when he was 22 he performed his first stage concert as a vocalist in thecourtof KingTribhuvan Bir Bikram Shahof Nepal inKathmandu.[7][26][27]Before becoming a stage performer, Jasraj worked as a performing artist on radio for several years.[4]

He initially trained as a classical vocalist with Pandit Maniram, and later with Jaiwant Singh Waghela, a vocalist andbeenkar.[15]

Technique and style[edit]

Jasraj in a concert at Bhubaneswar

Classical music[edit]

Although Jasraj belonged to the Mewati gharana, a school of music known for its traditional performances ofkhayals,Jasraj had sung khayals with some flexibility, adding elements of lighter styles, including thethumri.[4]During the initial stages of his career, he was criticised for incorporating elements from other schools of music, orgharanas,into his singing.[4]MusicologistS. Kalidas has noted, however, that this borrowing of elements acrossgharanashas now become more commonly accepted.[4]

Jasraj created a novel form ofjugalbandicalledJasrangithat is styled on the ancient system ofmoorchhana,between a male and a female vocalist, who each sing differentragasat the same time.[7][9]He was also known for presenting a variety of rare ragas including Abiri Todi and Patdeepaki.[28]

Semi-classical and popular music[edit]

In addition to performing classical music, Jasraj had worked to popularise innovations in semi-classical musical styles, such asHaveli Sangeet,which involves semi-classical performances in temples.[29]He had also sung classical and semi-classical compositions for film soundtracks, such as the song, 'Vandana Karo', composed in the ragaAhir Bhairavby the composer Vasant Desai, for the filmLadki Sahyadri Ki(1966),[29]a duet with vocalistBhimsen Joshifor the soundtrack of the filmBirbal My Brother(1975),[30]and a ballad,Vaada Tumse Hai Vaadafor a horror film titled1920(2008) directed byVikram Bhatt.[29]

In memory of his father, Jasraj organised an annual musical festival called thePandit Motiram Pandit Maniram Sangeet Samarohin Hyderabad.[9][10]The festival has been held annually since 1972.[15]

A 2023 stamp of India featuring Jasraj (center)

On 28 January 2017, the production house Navrasa Duende celebrated Jasraj's 87th birthday and 80 years of his service to music with a classical music concert titledMy Journey, an Intimate Evening with Pandit JasrajatJawaharlal Nehru Stadium,New Delhi.He received a standing ovation.[31]

Teaching[edit]

See also:Pandit Jasraj Institute for Music, Research, Artistry and Appreciation
See also:Pandit Jasraj Institute of Music Toronto

Jasraj tutored several students who have gone on to perform as classical musicians, includingSaptarshi Chakraborty,[12]Sanjeev Abhyankar,[32][26]violinistKala Ramnath,[33][26]Sandeep Ranade,[34][35]shehnaiplayerLokesh Anand,[36]Tripti Mukherjee,[37]Suman Ghosh,[25]flautistShashank Subramanyam,[38][26]Anuradha Paudwal,[12]Sadhana Sargam,[25]andRamesh Narayan.[39][37]

He was also the founder of schools for Indian classical music inAtlanta,Tampa,Vancouver,Toronto,New York,New Jersey,Pittsburgh,Mumbai, andKerala.Jasraj would spend six months of each year in the United States and Canada at either his home in New Jersey, teaching, or touring.[13][40][41]At age 90, he was teaching some of his international students throughSkype.[42][14][43]

Death[edit]

Pandit Jasraj remained in the US when the country enteredits COVID-19 lockdown.[44]He died at his home inNew Jerseyon 17 August 2020 at 5:15 amEST,due tocardiac arrest.[45][46]His body was later repatriated on anAir Indiaflight to Mumbai[47]where it wascrematedwithstate honoursand21-gun saluteat Pawan Hans Crematorium inVile Parle.[1][2]ThePrime Minister of India,Narendra Modisaid that his death "leaves a deep void in the Indian cultural sphere. Not only were his renditions outstanding, he also made a mark as an exceptional mentor to several other vocalists."[48]

On 27 December 2023, Modi released acommemorative postage stampto mark 50 years of Jasraj's music festival.[49]

Awards and honours[edit]

Discography[edit]

Performances in film soundtracks[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^Pili Mandori is now within theFatehabad district.

References[edit]

  1. ^abRaghuvanshi, Aakanksha (20 August 2020)."Legendary Vocalist Pandit Jasraj Cremated With State Honours. Anup Jalota, Kailash Kher And Others Attend Funeral".NDTV.New Delhi.Retrieved21 August2020.
  2. ^ab"Pandit Jasraj funeral: Legendary vocalist gets state funeral in Mumbai, Sanjay Leela Bhansali pays tribute".Hindustan Times.20 August 2020.Retrieved21 August2020.
  3. ^"Legendary Indian vocalist Pandit Jasraj passes away".Mumbai Live.17 August 2020.Retrieved18 August2020.
  4. ^abcdefKhurana, Suanshu (25 January 2015)."Pandit Jasraj looks back at a long, musical life on his 85th birthday".The Indian Express.Retrieved5 August2017.
  5. ^"Pandit Jasraj, 90, passes away in New Jersey; Modi mourns 'exceptional mentor'".The Economic Times.17 August 2020.Retrieved17 August2020.
  6. ^Kulkarni, Pranav (15 December 2008)."Pandit Jasraj casts magic spell".The Indian Express.Retrieved4 August2017.
  7. ^abcdSharma, Supriya (31 March 2017)."Pandit Jasraj on his life-long love for music".Hindustan Times.Retrieved5 August2017.
  8. ^"Fun Interview On Wishlist, Pandit Jasraj Talks Of Cricket, Deer And Krishna".NDTV(Interview). Interviewed by Radhika Bordia.Retrieved5 August2017.
  9. ^abcKumar, Ranee (1 December 2004)."A custom of culture".The Hindu.
  10. ^abJāʼisī, Ṣidq; Luther, Narendra (2004).The Nocturnal Court: The Life of a Prince of Hyderabad.Oxford University Press.ISBN978-0195666052.
  11. ^"My Father Died Five Hours Before He Was To Be Announced The Royal Musician In Court Of Osman Ali Khan".The Times of India(Interview). Interviewed by Papri Paul. 11 December 2016. Archived fromthe originalon 3 April 2019.Retrieved21 May2020.
  12. ^abcPawar, Yogesh (15 March 2019)."Pt Jasraj's 90-year musical journey".DNA India.Retrieved19 August2019.
  13. ^abcBhagat, Shalini Venugopal (25 August 2020)."Pandit Jasraj, Master Indian Vocalist, Is Dead at 90".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.Retrieved27 August2020.
  14. ^ab"Pandit Jasraj looks back on gold mohurs from a king, hopes for more voices to join his".Hindustan Times(Interview). Interviewed by Vanessa Viegas. 20 January 2020.Retrieved2 June2020.
  15. ^abcdPaul, Papri (28 January 2015)."Pandit Jasraj takes a trip down the memory lane to relive his idyllic childhood spent in Hyderabad".The Times of India.Retrieved5 August2017.
  16. ^ab"The Master's Voice".Harmony — Celebrate Age(Interview). Interviewed by Rajashree Balaram. 1 November 2009.
  17. ^"Pandit Jasraj: 'Music is what can take you to heaven'".gulfnews.com.10 September 2015.Retrieved21 May2020.
  18. ^ab"Raag Jasraj, in the maestro's voice".The Times of India(Interview). Interviewed by Anubha Sawhney. 27 December 2003.Retrieved5 August2017.
  19. ^"Jai ho! Jasraj".The Hindu(Interview). Interviewed by S. Priyadershini. 8 October 2007.
  20. ^"Madhura Jasraj recounts life with the Maestro".Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India).26 November 2009.
  21. ^Nivas, Namita (10 September 2010)."Age no bar".The Indian Express.
  22. ^"V Shantaram's daughter turns director".Hindustan Times.26 October 2010.Retrieved6 July2020.
  23. ^"Interview – Pt Jasraj: Music has universal appeal".narthaki.com(Interview). Interviewed by Vijai Shanker. 6 September 2012.Retrieved14 August2019.
  24. ^"The Sun of Music".Khabar(Interview). Interviewed by Parthiv N. Parekh. Archived fromthe originalon 23 July 2012.Retrieved14 August2019.
  25. ^abcThakur, Pradeep (12 September 2010).Indian Music Masters of Our Times- Part 1.Punjab, India: Pradeem Thakur & Sons. pp. 179–190.ISBN9788190870566.
  26. ^abcd"I have never gone looking for disciples, says Pandit Jasraj".The Hindu(Interview). Interviewed by Narendra Kusnur. 14 March 2019.ISSN0971-751X.Retrieved22 August2019.
  27. ^"Pandit Jasraj looks back on gold mohurs from a king, hopes for more voices to join his".Hindustan Times(Interview). Interviewed by Vanessa Viegas. 20 January 2020.Retrieved23 June2020.
  28. ^Mathur, Siddhartha (10 February 2012)."Unforgettable".The Indian Express.Retrieved5 August2017.
  29. ^abcdefGaekwad, Manish (31 March 2017)."Cinema classical: Singing for the gods, Pandit Jasraj took time out to enthral mortals".Scroll.in.Retrieved22 August2019.
  30. ^abGautam, Savitha (24 February 2011)."Looking back… musically".The Hindu.ISSN0971-751X.Retrieved21 May2020.
  31. ^"Pandit Jasraj turns 87, celebrates in the form of a concert"(Press release).Indo-Asian News Service.28 January 2017.Retrieved29 January2017– via The Statesman.
  32. ^"Sanjeev Abhyankar".Ragamala.Archived fromthe originalon 26 August 2007.Retrieved27 April2020.
  33. ^"Bio | Kala Ramnath | The Singing Violin of Indian Classical Music".kalaramnath.com.Retrieved27 April2020.
  34. ^"NaadSadhana: A Tabla-Swarmandal AI/ML jugalbandi app for classical singers, trainees".16 May 2019.
  35. ^"Coronavirus | Na Corona Karo song goes viral on social media".The Hindu.2 April 2020.
  36. ^"Lokesh Anand".Dainik Bhaskar.Archived fromthe originalon 26 August 2007.Retrieved18 August2020.
  37. ^abKumar, P. k Ajith (17 January 2016)."His music knows no age".The Hindu.ISSN0971-751X.Retrieved19 May2020.
  38. ^Subramanyam, Shashank (16 January 2009)."On an innovative journey".The Hindu(Interview). Interviewed by Savitha Gautam.ISSN0971-751X.Retrieved19 May2020.
  39. ^"Ramesh Narayan: My biggest achievement is not any award or accolade, but Pandit Jasraj's discipleship – Times of India".The Times of India.Retrieved27 April2020.
  40. ^Watts, Gabbie (27 July 2017)."Sangeetayan Promotes Indian Classical Music In Atlanta".WABE 90.1.
  41. ^Rele, Nitish (May 2006)."Pandit Jasraj Looks to Enlighten Americans on Indian Music".Khaas Baat.Retrieved19 May2020.
  42. ^"Pandit Jasraj on turning 90, teaching music through Skype: 'I don't like when people say woh zamaana achha tha'".Hindustan Times(Interview). Interviewed byPress Trust of India.28 January 2020.Retrieved22 May2020.
  43. ^"Pandit Jasraj feels reality shows have benefited classical music"(Interview). Interviewed byIndo-Asian News Service.21 February 2012.Retrieved22 June2020– via Zee News.
  44. ^"Legendary classical vocalist Pandij Jasraj dies at 90".Press Trust of India.17 August 2020.
  45. ^"Pandit Jasraj passes away at 90".The Indian Express.17 August 2020.Retrieved17 August2020.
  46. ^"Music legend Pandit Jasraj, recipient of Padma Vibhushan award, passes away at the age of 90".www.timesnownews.com.17 August 2020.Retrieved17 August2020.
  47. ^"Pt Jasraj's mortal remains reach Mumbai, state funeral on Thursday".www.daijiworld.com.Retrieved21 August2020.
  48. ^@narendramodi (17 August 2020)."The unfortunate demise of Pandit Jasraj Ji leaves a deep void in the Indian cultural sphere"(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
  49. ^"Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah releases a commemorative Postal Stamp, to mark 50 years of Pandit Jasraj's music festival – 'Pandit Motiram Pandit Maniram Sangeet Samaroha', in New Delhi today".pib.gov.in(Press release). 27 December 2023.Retrieved1 January2024.
  50. ^abc"Padma Awards Directory (1954–2017)"(PDF).Ministry of Home Affairs.
  51. ^ab"Pandit Jasraj".Sangeet Natak Akademi.Archived fromthe originalon 9 September 2017.Retrieved22 August2019.
  52. ^"Marar, Jasraj bag awards".The Hindu.12 March 2008.
  53. ^"Pandit Jasraj gets Kerala Govt's award".Hindustan Times.12 March 2008.Retrieved6 July2020.
  54. ^"Declaration of Sangeet Natak Akademi fellowships (Akademi Ratna) and Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskar) for the year 2009"(Press release).Ministry of Culture (India).16 February 2010.Retrieved17 February2010.
  55. ^"Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Pandit Jasraj".Hindustan Times.30 September 2010.Retrieved6 July2020.
  56. ^"Pandit Jasraj given Pu La Deshpande lifetime achievement award".DNA India.8 November 2012.Retrieved27 April2020.
  57. ^"Pandit Jasraj to Receive Maharashtra Government's Top Music Award"(Press release).Press Trust of India.Retrieved27 April2020– via India West.[permanent dead link]
  58. ^ab"Orchestral symphony is very interesting: Pandit Jasraj".Hindustan Times(Interview). Interviewed by Debarun Borthakur. 18 November 2014.Retrieved22 August2019.
  59. ^"Three music maestros get Marwar Sangeet Ratna Award".Hindustan Times.11 December 2014.Retrieved22 August2019– via PressReader.
  60. ^Nayak, N. Dinesh (19 January 2016)."Jasraj receives Hangal award".The Hindu.ISSN0971-751X.Retrieved15 May2020.
  61. ^"JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 300128 Panditjasraj (2006 VP32)"(26 February 2019 last obs.).Jet Propulsion Laboratory.Retrieved26 September2019.
  62. ^"MPC/MPO/MPS Archive".Minor Planet Center.Retrieved26 September2019.
  63. ^Rockwell, Teed (13 October 2008)."Pandit Jasraj in Concert".India Currents.Retrieved14 May2020.

Discography references[edit]

  1. ^abcdefRomero, Angel (18 August 2018)."Artist Profiles: Pandit Jasraj".World Music Central.Retrieved22 August2019.
  2. ^"Devotionally Yours – Pandit Jasraj".The Indian Express.OCLC652343767.Retrieved22 August2019.
  3. ^The glory of dawn: morning ragas(in Hindi), Times Music, 2005,OCLC881488955
  4. ^Invocation.(in Sanskrit), Water Lily Acoustic, 1993,OCLC31731043
  5. ^"Kanha – Padma Vibhushan Pandit Jasraj Indian Classical Music / Hindustani Classical".www.amazon.com.Retrieved22 August2019.
  6. ^In concert: Vancouver, BC-August 10/96,World Media, 2000,OCLC50315127
  7. ^Jasraj (2005),Malhar a downpour of music(in Nepali), Times Music,OCLC881489066
  8. ^The meditative music of Pandit Jasraj.(in Hindi), Oriental Records,OCLC369698317
  9. ^Parampara: the Mewati tradition: 75th birthday celebrations(in Hindi), Times Music, India, 2005,OCLC819532237
  10. ^Shri Krishna Anuraag,Adhishri Tradings: Sony Music, 2000,OCLC704701864
  11. ^The spiritual journey,Times Music, India, 2005,OCLC86082899
  12. ^Gopalka, Kushal (29 December 2007)."Music Review | On an old note".Mint.Retrieved22 August2019.
  13. ^Devi upasana,Virgin Records (India) Pvt Ltd.: Made available through hoopla, 2007,OCLC1098875065
  14. ^Miyan Tansen: as interpreted by Pandit Jasraj.(in Hindi), Times Music, 2006,OCLC823747327
  15. ^Tapasya. Volume 1 Volume 1,Navras, 2004,OCLC662580006
  16. ^Darbar(in Hindi), Sense World Music, 2003,OCLC475643917
  17. ^Maheshwara mantra.,Oreade Music, 2002,OCLC652433351
  18. ^Soul Food: Live at the Saptak Festival,Sense World Music, 2002,OCLC85891441
  19. ^Haveli sangeet.,Navras Records Ltd., 2001,OCLC53891975
  20. ^Inspiration,Navras Records, 2000,OCLC45263860
  21. ^Raga Triveni & Raga Multani.(in Sanskrit), Navras, 1994,OCLC418882680
  22. ^Ragas Bihagda & Gaud giri malhar live at the QEH August 18, 1993(in Hindi), Navras, 18 August 1993,OCLC873053602
  23. ^Worship by music,Indische Tanzschule "Chhandra Dhara"., 1991,OCLC27740578
  24. ^Ornamental voice,(inIndic), Chhanda Dhara, 1989,OCLC23685849
  25. ^Mermelstein, David (3 December 2012)."OSCARS: 'Life Of Pi' Score".Deadline.OCLC814673923.Retrieved22 August2019.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

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