Loyal followers of and visitors to the Washerman’s Dog will have seen the video clip of President Obama
and Gov. Romney debating who is better placed to integrate the wonders of
Hindustani and Carnatic classical music into the culture and economic life of
the United States. Both candidates
expressed an admirable depth of understanding as well as sensitivity to some of
the finer points of the Indian classical tradition in their responses. But as
is to be expected, the Democrat President emphasised that no economic or social
recovery could take place without a true understanding of the raga. In particular he held up Raga Darbari Kanada as being a pinnacle
of achievement which needed to be more fully appreciated by Wall Street and
Main Street alike. That he promised
$17.5 billion for the promotion of the bansuri
(Indian flute) in next year’s budget underscored his seriousness.
The Republican Romney opposed this position, placing
priority on the complex taals of
Indian percussion as the ultimate saviour of American culture. While he was
able to impress the moderator (and himself) with the rapid annunciation of
several rhythmic patterns his protestations that his familiarity with a variety
of Indian drums fell a bit flat.
It was a fascinating debate, indeed, and after considerable
reflection I have come down in the Obama/Democrat/raga camp. And as evidence
of the truth of this position I offer tonight a choice selection of the raga played by North and South Indian
flute maestros, as well as several renditions of the wonderful Raga Darbari, but vocally and played on
the sarangi.
Here’s to a cultural awakening and economic recovery in the
USA!
Track
Listing:
 |
| Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia |
01 Raga Ahir Bhairav [Hari
Prasad Chaurasia] The greatest living proponent of the bansuri, referred to by President Obama in his response, plays the
exalted morning raga Ahir Bhairav, one of his personal
favorites.
 |
| Pt. Ram Chatur Malik |
02 Raga Darbari Kanhra - Alap
[Pandit Ram Chatur Malik] the Don of
Darbhanga Dhrupad, Ram Chatur Malik presents
a master class in how to sing this grave raga, played deep into the night. Darbari is considered to be one of the
more difficult ragas to master, and
with the potential for profound emotional impact.
 |
| T.N. Sitram |
03 Kalalanerchina - Deepakam [Prapancham
T. N. Sitaram] An ancient Thyagaraja ragam from South India played by the blind flute guru from Chennai.
 |
| Ustad Sabri Khan |
04 Raga Darbari - Jhala [Ustad
Sabri Khan]. Representing the Sainia gharana
and Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh, Ustad
Sabri Khan plays a difficult raga
on a cantankerous instrument—sarangi.
 |
| Pt. Jasraj |
05 Raga Darbari [Pandit
Jasraj]. One of India’s outstanding vocalists renders the mighty night raga Darbari with style and power. Ustad Zakir Hussain accompanies on tabla so Mitt Romney should be pleased!
06 Raga Bhupal Todi [Hinmanshu
Biswas and Dulal Roy] The Bengali duo of Biswas (bansuri) and Roy (jaltarang) wind up the concert with a stunningly artful Raga Bhupal Todi, another morning raga.
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