Bhavishya Joshi- a Singing of Kumauni traditions

Bhavishya Joshi

INTRODUCTION

It is the time of the year in Kumauni valley when music is celebrated in its all grandeur. Our dearest friend Bhavishya from this region is here for reasons that many of us know, as his dedication to the music and traditions of this region that he grew up with. From the beginning of this blog, these are few singers always stood hand in hand with us for the causes of Music of India and its nurture. We can not thank enough to these few people who unconditionally lend a support no matter. Love you all for that support.

Before we write about this traditions of Kumauni Holi, a celebration of music let us know a bit more about Bhavishya as aspiring singer from Lucknow, India.

Bhavishya Joshi

Undoubtedly Bhavishya is one of the finest male voices on Smule sing. When he was approached he genuinely expressed his gratitude and came out as professional accepting our offer to feature him, with clear thoughts why such a platform is important for him.

A great attitude singer on Smule Sing and above all absolutely great singing abilities that come naturally to him makes him our choice here to represent the region. While his best buddies like Harshit Saxena went onto pursue a career in music and become a great success in Bollywood, Bhavishya had to take a lot of responsibilities to support a family. He says, nothing to regret, there is a whole lot of life left to sing and achieve. He have a MBA degree and work for a Private sector institute.

Asked about his beginnings in music and career Bhavishya said “All I am today, I owe everything to my parents, of which my mother is my teacher in music and everything I know about singing.”

Bhavishya Kumauni Valley

Bhavishya’s mom Mrs. Renu Joshi is a Visharad from Almora College and taught music at GIC, Almora college. We were hoping if Bhavishya could make her sing for all of us, but unfortunately she don’t sing any more and in her generation there was no Smule recordings either. So rightly, she taught her son whom we have plenty of songs to listen to from Smule Sing.

Bhavishya may call himself a bathroom singer, (it is a humble way of his own assessment); but growing up in a family of both parents musicians and two sisters both went onto do degrees in music, his family definitely not strange to music. They constantly, had gatherings of music from like minded singers.

Bhavishya’s both parents are blessed with music talents from their parents. His grand father who was a tabla artist, was a disciple of great lineage none other than Ustad Faiyaaz Khan (see below here among the founders of Agra Gharana in the special feature). Bhavishya also started using instruments and ended up learning Guitar (Western Hawaiyan style) ultimately; later he realized that the real talent is in singing and ever since changed the direction in music. Here in the following embed, Bhavishya show his guitar skills (from his YouTube channel). He is thinking to sing more of the free style on Smule; he says free style gives him all the freedom to sing his most favorite songs he like to sing. This embed is really beautiful and Bhavishya should do singing recordings like this more, (with better sound recording equipments)

Of his earlier success stories, come out as the runner up in a highly acclaimed Zee TV show called Zee / Sansui Anthakshari worth mention here (a music game with teams compete song challenges with a syllable or sound that is at the tail of previous song; in the year 2004). Bhavishya and his partner came our as runner up winners in this competition. Here is a clip of the show embedded here.

A recent recognition for his music came from 106.1 FM radio host Dhanchack Riva called him to sing on her “Audiococktail” show. Here is the clip of the radio jokey from the heart of Houston, USA. Way to go. As it says If anybody want Riva to consider your singing for her show send your requests to audiococktail.gmail.com.

Since last time we featured him here, Bhavishya had been very active in the region’s music and celebrations of Kumauni music. When we spoke to him about his current music activities, Bhavishya talked with so much enthusiasm and point us to his YouTube channel where he had been cataloging all the past Kumauni Holi festivals from this region. What a precious effort from a young singer who spend hours recording these events and upload them on his YouTube channel for everyone to get a feel of it. We can not go without speaking about these festival unique to Kumaon and Utrakhand that just happening in this region of India.

Kumauni Holi

Kumauni Holi is a well documented festival of celebration of music from this region. Until, we interacted and spoke with Bhavishya, we were not much aware about this festival from the heart of Tansen’s beginnings of music experiments. This is most important festival of this region, Bhavishya says. The festival have its very defined traditions as far as its methods of celebrations, which we will cover shortly.

More to describe here is how human life is intertwined with nature and when Pahaad ke log (people from Kumauni Valley) expresses their happiness when they break from cold by singing and celebrate the music in a systematic manner. Kumauni holi indeed is a celebration of breaking from the cold weather in the Himalayan valley of Kumaun. Bhavishya said the music performances are a melt of proper Hindustani Raags with local folk music traditions. Kumaonis are very particular about the time when the songs based on ragas should be sung. For instance, at noon the songs based on Pilu, Bhimpalasi and Sarang ragas are sung while evening is reserved for the songs based on the ragas like Kalyan, Shyamkalyan and Yaman etc. (Wiki)

The festivities are performed based on the India’s traditional calendar. Basant Panchmi held all across Kumaon till the Dulhendi (or the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna). Baithaki Holi which we describe here more is due to a first hand information available from Bhavishya. The more experienced older singers lead the singing while back row singers are youngsters who want to learn the traditions. The earlier tradition of Hindustani music developed during the traditional Baithaks like this. It happens in places where people can gather. We randomly added few of the Baithaki from Bhavishya’s YouTube channel.

His idols are Manna Dey and Yesudas. That reminds us we heard him first, when he was singing a Yesudas song. We think he is none like any singer we ever heard. A very fine artist with a great interest in Indian classical music. He is a very strong unique presence on Smule Sing among Hindi singers. He deserve this place here, as the very third male singer who sings mainly in Hindi Smule to be featured on this blog. It is a very crowded field with many good singers, but some like Bhavishya stand out. Play all his songs and enjoy this internationally renowned singer from Smule. You will be convinced.

Hear “Yeh dil tum bin” in the beautiful voice of Bhavishya, which we think is his best identity and asset; OMG, this is what one says quality recording voice. It is beautiful and can listen to it for the whole day. The co-singer is sarita7CH_RSF. Give a listen.

You can see Bhavishya enjoy every moment of his singing and he really show his true love for music in every video embedded here. He is a true singer.

Geetika and Bhavishya; Bhavishya is the greatest supporter of Geetika. They are friends and we hope this video makes both of them happy that we put one here for them to share their friendship here as well. More to add this is a gem of them singing together.

This one is one of the best collaborations we found on Bhavishya’s profile. Perfect melody, mood and perfect video. Jyotimishra the co-singer can be very proud of this video performance. Give a listen.

Bhavishya sings a perfect Bollywood classic Kishore kumar-Lata song and few more newer smule singing added here for your enjoyment. Please listen to him here and follow him at his profile here

Kitabein Bahut Padi Hogi with Bhavishya’ Smule buddy Amna. Fun side of Bhavishya. Bad track though.

Hum Rahe ya na Rahe kal, philosophical Bhavishya. Solo for everyone.

Zid na Karo beautiful solo.

As the tile says this is family. Bhavishya and his daughter sings here.

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A short visit to Hindustani Classical Music Styles

This is one of the most special blog where we dared to write a comprehensive account for our readers about Hindustani music’s Gharanas (styles= may be too easy a translation, but close enough we hope). Everything is new for us as well, so forgive any over look or over-simplification of this great classic tradition of North India music. Nothing is written without proper references (see the references at the end).

Gharanas- A briefing

It says our India’s soil smell of music. Gharanas is that very word is pretty hard to describe in English. It can be said as an idea that represent a group of singers who nurture a style of singing and teach that style to his disciples and thus keep a very strict instruction that the disciples of a particular style stick to it, popularize it and help move forward by their own talents, creativity, artistry etc. So no disciple of a Gharana is restricted from improvisation or move forward in his own ways, but they stick to the basic style of the singing of their Guru’s lessons (the great teacher). So first task of the musician who like to join a particular Gharana is to master the styles and basics (which may take almost half of ones lifetime of training and live with your guru and follow him constantly) and when he himself ready to improvise he put a lot of learning himself and experiment himself and sing the songs to the audience. Instead of describe the various styles of Hindustani Gharanas, we have the power to use recorded audio files of the maestro singing in various styles. We are going to go through the various Gharanas of Hindustani and we picked one proponent of prominence to display the different styles here. This may be very long but we promise listen to these videos of India’s maestro the first of its kind where sound and videos are used for describe these styles. So without delay let us start with the various styles and corresponding proponents singing Hindustani in

Gwalior Gharana-  Founders Ustad Hassu Khan, Ustad Haddu Khan, Ustad Nathu Khan

Proponent of recent times Veena Shasrabuddhe– of this oldest form of style of Hindustani singing. Give a listen.The distinctive feature of this style of singing has been noted as its lucidity (clarity of expression) and simplicity.

Agra Gharana Founders Ustad Faiyaz Khan- Haji Sujan Khan, Ustad Ghagghe Khuda Baksh

A great importance on developing forcefulness and deepness in the voice so that the notes are powerful and resonant. Listen to this style from none other than one and only Ustad Faiyaz Khan.

Kirana Gharana Founders – Abdul Karim Khan and Abdul Wahid Khan

In the Kirana style of singing, the swara is used to create an emotional mood by means of elongation and use of Kana-s. The super-phenomenal Pandit Bhimsen Joshi singing in this style. Oh my god wish had that voice.

Jaipur – Atrauli Gharana Founders – Ustad Alladiya Khan

The most distinctive feature of the Jaipur Gharana can be best described as its complex and melodic form which arises out of the intricate and undulating phrases that comprise the piece. Proponent of this style famous Kishori Amonkar.

Rampur Sahaswan Gharana-Founders – Ustad Inayat Khan

The Rampur Sahaswan Gharana there is a stress on the clarity of swarms and the development and elaboration of the raga is done through a step-wise progression. Rampur is place in the state of Uthar Pradesh and the singers of today’s feature are from this region as well. Proponent Ustad Rashid Khan

Proponent Ustad Rashid Khan and his most famous light classical hit.

Patiala Gharana Founders – Ustad Fateh Ali Khan and Ustad Ali BakshPatiala Gharana is regarded as an offshoot of the Delhi Gharana. The Patiala Gharana is characterized by the use of greater rhythm play and by Layakari with the abundant use of Bols, particularly Bol-tans. The major singers of the Patiala Gharana are Bheegum Aktar and Bade Ghulam Ali Khan: first video is of Begum Akhtar and her Ghazals of this style.

Another proponent Bade Gulam Ali singing this beautiful Bollywood Mughal Classic song Prem Jogan. Wowed at that fine voice.

Delhi Gharana Founders – Ustad Mamman Khan

The highlights of Delhi Gharana are pleasing vistaar (roughly imagination of he singer, it is the heart of Hindustani singing click the link on the word to understand this) and exquisite compositions. Proponent of this Gharana displayed here by the one and only Ustad Chand Khan.

Bhendi Bazaar Gharana Founders – Ustad Chajju Khan: Ustad Aman Ali Khan

Whose disciples are famously Lata Mangeshkar and Manna Dey (who is Bhavishya Joshi’s’ idol). He hail from Uttar Pradesh. Hear this heavenly singing. The most distinctive feature of the Bhendi Bazaar Gharana is the presentation of Khayal, which is open voice, using Akar. There is a stress on breath-control and singing of long passages in one breath is highly regarded in this Gharana. Famous Yesudas sounds like him.

Benaras Gharana Founders – Pt Gopal Mishra

Girija Devi: The Benaras Gharana evolved as a result of great lilting style of khayal singing known by Thumri singers of Benaras and Gaya.

Mewati Gharana Founders – The founder of Mewati Gharana was Ghagge Nazir Khan: The Mewati Gharana gives importance to developing the mood of the raga through the notes forming it and its style is Bhava Pradhan. It also gives equal importance to the meaning of the text.

Referemces : Kumar, Raj (2003). Essays on Indian music (History and culture series). Discovery Publishing House. and  Modern history of Hindustani classical music at ITC Sangeet Research Academy. We regret any mistakes made here although we were very careful to read all the music from many references available at the time of writing this blog.

END THOUGHTS

Hope everyone had a wonderful time knowing these maestros of Hindustani classic music and the amazing traditions of North India’s music. We can not stop adding videos because the styles of music either classical or folk music from these two states are endless. We only were able to cover a sliver of what this region has to offer. More important to mention is the singers we represent from both Uttarakhand and Uttarpradesh are fabulous and show the influences by being trained by classically trained parents who influenced their music in a big way.  Keep singing.

LYRICS TIME:

Here we leave you with a poem written by Sumitranandan Pant a phenomenal poet from Uttarakhand. He is considered one of the major poets of the Chhayavaadi school of Hindi literature. Thanks to our dear friend Nithin Kumar. Nitin Kumar is a native Hindi speaker from New Delhi, India. His education qualification include Masters in Robotics and Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering. Currently, he is working in the Research and Development in Robotics in Germany. He did this translation and posted on his blog. We are sharing his blog link here.

कविता (Kavita – Poem) : सुख-दुख (Sukh-Dukh – Happiness-Sadness) कवि (Kavi – Poet) : सुमित्रानंदन पंत (Sumitranandan Pant)

मैं नहीं चाहता चिर दुख,
सुख दुख की खेल मिचौनी
खोले जीवन अपना मुख!

I don’t want eternal sadness,
the game of happiness and sadness,
opens the mouth of the life.

सुख-दुख के मधुर मिलन से
यह जीवन हो परिपूरण,
फिर घन में ओझल हो शशि,
फिर शशि से ओझल हो घन!

from the pleasant union of happiness and sadness,
the life is fulfilled,
then the moon disappears in the clouds,
and then the clouds disappears from the moon.

जग पीड़ित है अति दुख से
जग पीड़ित रे अति सुख से, मानव जग में बँट जाएँ
दुख सुख से और सुख दुख से!

The world suffers from much sadness,
and the world suffers from much happiness,
the men will be divided,
from sadness happiness and from happiness sadness!

अविरत दुख है उत्पीड़न,
अविरत सुख भी उत्पीड़न,
दुख-सुख की निशा-दिवा में,
सोता-जगता जग-जीवन।

constant sadness is a harassment,
constant happiness is also a harassment,

in the night and day of happiness-sadness,
awaken and slept world of life.

यह साँझ-उषा का आँगन,
आलिंगन विरह-मिलन का,
चिर हास-अश्रुमय आनन,
रे इस मानव-जीवन का!

this veranda of dusk-dawn,
of embrace of separation and union,
of face of eternal laughing-mourning,
of this human-life!