National 9 (Spotlight Weekly)

PUNDIT JASRAJ’S SHOW
Shared Rhythms

Pundit Jasraj’s classical music reveals the cultural commonalities existing between Nepal and India

By A CORRESPONDENT

As soon as Pundit Jasraj began his performance citing Mangalcharan or songs of Ganesh, the crowd cheered him; then he performed a couple of more songs dedicating to Lord Pashupatinath, common god of all Hindus.

From the beginning to the end, Pundit Jasraj performed Raga dedicating to different gods and goddesses but all his performances were lively. In the two-hour-long performance, Pundit Jasraj helped to understand the root of cultural commonalities existing between the two countries.

Despite some minor and some major differences in the state-to-state level of relations, Pundit Jasraj’s performance demonstrated that the existing cultural and religious affinities are so strong and that the two countries are yet to realize this truth.

Although this was his fifth visit and demonstration of Hindustani Classical music in Nepal, there were no dearth of his avid lovers who crowded to listen to his classical music program.

Organized by the Indian Embassy on the occasion of the 55th Republic Day of India, jam-packed crowd at Hotel Yak and Yeti enjoyed his performance to the fullest.

After his first arrival to Nepal back in 1952, Jasraj has visited this country many times to perform his programs before Nepalese audiences who share the culture and tradition he belongs to. “I always feel at home here whenever I encounter the audiences,” said Pundit Jasraj.

Packed by mixture of audiences including young and old, Jasraj’s musical performances were a great hit. His voice and rhythm were perfect. Combination of his voice and musical instruments produced a sound of joy and pleasure.

Despite the entry of modern music, Nepalese music lovers still prefer to listen to classical music with which their own identity is linked. Jasraj’s performance has demonstrated that there are so many commonalities embedded in their culture and religion.

Whether an audience is fifty years old or a teen ager, Jasraj’s performance has something to offer to both. All Nepalese ceremonies, too, begin with the praise of Mangalgan or praising Ganeshji. Almost all traditional music and songs are dedicated to gods and goddesses here. The Raga, too, are performed highlighting different moods of different gods.

One of the most captivating parts of his performance was the professional manner in which he handled the music program. He maintained his pace of voice and rhythm with musical instruments. He also showed that age does not make any difference to singers and musicians.

Nepal and India share so many similarities in religion and culture but two close neighbors of South Asia are yet to exploit it in restoring the political level relations.

Not only Pundit Jasraj but many other performers of traditional Indian music – from north to south - have already demonstrated what commonalities do they share.

Interestingly, legends and historical documents show that Nepalese rulers introduced various forms of religion and cultural values in Nepal borrowed from India. Be a Taleju Temple, which was brought from South India and Red Machhindranath, which was brought from Assam, there are many such examples.

In his two-hours-long performance, Pundit Jasraj reminded what commonalities bind the two close neighbors of South Asia together.