Sunday, August 18, 2013

Gopaal by Pt. Rattan Mohan Sharma - Rare compositions of Soordas



Pt. Rattan Mohan Sharma, nephew and disciple of Pt. Jasraj needs no introduction. His repertoire of devotionals are prolific . Starting from his hugely successful album ‘Gayatri’ released by Times Music, he has sung every genre of devotional music ranging from haveli sangeet to chantings. Like his illustrious guru Pt. Jasraj who has to his credit a couple of temple music of ‘Astachhap Poets’, Pt. Rattan Mohan Sharma has shown his forte in haveli sangeet in his 4-CD set of ‘Temple Music of India’ released under Music Today label. ‘Gopaal’ released by PRAGNYA exemplifies his excellent hold over the rendition style of haveli sangeet. The Album contains 10 compositions of saint poet Soordas. Though the Album declares for having rare compositions of Soordas, it has both his popular and not-so-well-known compositions. We have ‘Prabhu More Avgun Chit Na Dharo…’ rendered brilliantly by Hariharan in ‘Bhakta Triveni’ and ‘Sabse Oonchi Prem Sagai….’ popularized by  Jagjit Singh in his Album ‘Hare Krishna-In Live Concert’ released by the now defunct CBS Tapes & Records. The Album is accompanied by a booklet which gives both the transliteration and translation of the divine poetry of Sooordas. The Album makes a compulsive addition to the collection of every lover of devotional music.