Krsna Kirtana Songs est. 2001                                                                                                                                                      www.kksongs.org


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KKSongs Audio Page

 

 

Welcome to the KKSongs Audio Page!

 

This page contains original recordings by KKSongs of bhajans, kirtans, and meditative instrumentals. The genre for a good majority of these songs are North Indian classical music and are in CD quality. These recordings came from the time I (the webmaster) began learning about Indian classical music, elements of composition, instruments, and pronunciation.

 

Happy Listening! Hare Krsna!

 

LEFT CLICK the GREEN link for streaming the audio  RIGHT CLICK the BLUE link for downloading the song!

 

Instrumental: Raga Pahadi (2009) Download

Raga: Pahadi Tala: Dipchandi

Instruments: Harp, Swarmandal, Bansuri, Khol, Kartal, Ghungru, Gopiyantra, Dotara (Bengali), Santoor, Vina, Sitar

This is a track based off of Raga Pahadi with a theme resembling the song “Krsna Hoite Caturmukha.” This was composed for the 2009 Gaura Purnima play performed by the youth of ISKCON of Central New Jersey. The tala is in dipchandi tala with a very Bengali folk-feel with many folk instruments, such as gopiyantra, khol, and dotara.

 

Instrumental: Raga Yaman (2008) Download

Raga: Yaman  Tala: Kaherva

Instruments: Santoor, Tabla, Tanpura

This is the second track of Viraha based off of Raga Yaman in Kaherva tala. The keyboarded santoor is the main instrument.

 

Instrumental: Raga Katyayani (2008) Download

Raga: Katyayani Tala: Bhajani

Instruments: Santoor, Tabla, Tanpura

This is the first track of the delayed set of recordings entitled “Viraha: The Mood of Separation and Longing.” This is in a rare raga which resembles a mix between Sivaranjani and Gunakali. The looped tala is bhajani tala on the keyboarded santoor.

 

Song: Nace Gaura Preme Bhora (2008) Download

Lyrics: Nace Gaura Preme Bhora  Raga: Yaman Kalyana  Tala: Bengali Ektal 

Instruments: Tanpura, Khol, Harmonium, Kartal, Esraj

This is a rare Bengali bhajan about Lord Caitanya sung by Radha Krsna das, accompanied by Niskama devi dasi, and Sridevi. Khol accompaniment was provided by Manu. It is based off of Raga Kalyana in Bengali ektal.

 

Song: Boro Krpa Koile Krsna (2007) Download

Lyrics: Boro Krpa Koile Krsna  Raga: Jaunpuri  Tala: Sitarkhani 

Instruments: Tanpura, Khol, Harmonium, Tabla, Sitar, Kartal

This track was composed in late 2006, but due to many issues, it had a very delayed release. The track was part of Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa Puja offering. The lyrics are written by Srila Prabhupada while he was on the Jaladuta. This humble song sings of his mission to preach Krsna consciousness to the Western nations. The raga is in Raga Jaunpuri in Sitarkhani tala.

 

Song: Isvara Parama Krsna (2007) Download

Lyrics: Isvara Parama Krsna  Raga: Kirvani Tala: Kaherva 

Instruments: Wind Chimes, Tanpura, Synthesizer, Sarangi, Bansuri, Gothic Choir, Harp, Harmonium, Tabla, Sarod, Sitar, Oud, Bass Guitar

The fifth track of Visions is without a doubt, one of the toughest tracks to record. By Krsna’s mercy, a recording that took six months to complete is finally complete and ready for presentation. The tune was originally by the late George Harrison. Srila Prabhupada loved this rendition of “Govindam” that his studio recording is played during Srngara Arati at all ISKCON temples. I decided that this would be a perfect song to add to Visions. Maintaining the style that Visions has, this is an Indian classical-New Age rendition of the song with some changes in the melody. This is in Kaherva tala in an arguable Kirwani raga. For this track, it is highly recommended to listen to the higher quality version.

 

Song: Gauranga Bolite Habe (2007) Download

Lyrics: Gauranga Bolite Habe  Raga: Malgunji  Tala: Bengali Ektal, Dadra

Instruments: Tanpura, Khol, Swarmandal, Ghungru, Bansuri, Harmonium, Harp, Dotara (Bengali), Sarod

This is the fourth track for “Visions” which is the first song from Narottama Das Thakura’s book, “Prarthana.” This track dons a Bengali feel with some new life to it. Unlike the previous tracks, this focuses mostly on melody rather than harmony-melody. The first part of the track is Bangla ektal while the second half is on quick folk dadra tala.

 

Song: Jaya Jaya Harinama (2007) Download

Lyrics: Jaya Jaya Harinama  Raga: Ahir Bhairava  Tala: Kaherva

Instruments: Tanpura, Tabla, Harp, Swarmandal, Harmonium, Ghungru, Chimpta, Bass Guitar, Gothic Choir

This is the third track for “Visions” which is a Bhaktivinoda Thakura from the Gitavali. Composed in Raga Ahir Bhairava, this sings of the glories of the holy name. Unique feature of this track is the first time use of a choir and two tablas tuned to fifths.

 

Song: Raga Bhupali Kirtan (2007) Download

Raga: Bhupali Tala: Bengali Ektal, Kaherva

Instruments: Khol, Harmonium, Kartal

The final track recorded at DePaul was a kirtan loosely based on evening Raga Bhupali sung by Kalindi. The rhythm starts off with Bangla ektal and ended with a fast kaherva.

 

Song: Raga Madhyamad Saranga (2007) Download

Raga: Madhyamad Saranga Tala: Kaherva, Bhajani

Instruments: Harmonium, Khol, Kartal, Guitar

This is a mellow kirtan Jaya Jagannatha Dasa sings in an afternoon raga Madhyamad Saranga. The tala starts off with medium tempo kaherva followed by bhajani and a fast tempo kaherva tala tempo. This is the third of the DePaul recordings.

 

Song: Raga Asavari Kirtan (2007) Download

Raga: Asavari Lyrics: Bengali Ektal, Khemta, Dadra, Kaherva

Instruments: Harmonium, Khol, Kartal

This kirtan is based on a Raga Asavari in its suddha re and komal re forms. This was rendered by Jaya Jagannatha Dasa during the DePaul kirtans. The tala starts with Bangla ektal and shifts to dadra and khemta and finally ends with a fast kaherva which is interrupted due to a recording mishap ;-).

 

Song: Raga Bhairavi Kirtana (2007) Download

Raga: Bhairavi Tala: Kaherva

Instruments: Harmonium, Khol, Kartal

Between recording songs for “Visions”, the youth from the Chicago temple were assembled at DePaul Unversity to record some kirtans. I was fortunate to be one of the two khol players. This kirtan features Krsna Balarama singing Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya and Hare Krsna mahamantra in Raga Bhairavi in kaherva tala.

 

Song: Kadacit Kalindi Tata (2007) Download

Lyrics: Kadacit Kalindi Tata Raga: Malgunji Tala: Ektal

Instruments: Tanpura, Harp, Swarmandal, Harmonium, Bansuri, Chimpta, Ghungru, Tabla, Bass Guitar

The second track of “Visions” sings the eight verses of glories of Lord Jagannatha. Although it was transcribed by Adi Sankaracarya, it was uttered by Lord Caitanya. This is based on Raga Malgunji with a Jhinjhoti feel in ektal. For this track, it is highly recommended to listen to the higher quality version.

 

Song: Pasana Dhatu Mrd Daru (2007) Download

Lyrics: Pasana Dhatu Mrd Daru Raga: Suddha Kalyana Tala: Dipchandi

Instruments: Tanpura, Harp, Swarmandal, Harmonium, Bansuri, Chimpta, Ghungru, Dholak, Tabla, Bass Guitar

To allow devotees to worship Him, Krsna takes form into stone, metal, clay, sand-drawings, wood shavings, jewelry, and pictures. This song sings of the Deity form of Krsna. This is one of the last few songs in Srila Sanatana Goswami’s book, “Krsna Lila Stava”, who acknowledges the Deity as an “avatara” of Krsna. It is based on Raga Suddha Kalyana with Dipchandi tala. This is the first song of “Visions.”

 

Song: Krsna Tava Punya Habe Bhai (2007) Download

Lyrics: Krsna Tava Punya Habe Bhai Raga: Mand Tala: Prabhupada

Instruments: Tanpura, Sitar, Sarod, Gopiyantra, Esraj, Khol, Kartal, Harmonium

When His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada came to the Western world to preach Krsna Consciousness, he wrote two famous songs while on the Jaladuta. Celebrating forty years of the International Society for Krsna Consciousness, a set of recordings called “Prabhupada Puspanjali” was formed not only to glorify Srila Prabhupada, but to display common and uncommon bhajans Prabhupada has written. This song is based on Raga Mand in Prabhupada tala.

 

Song: Bolo Hari Bolo (2006) Download

Lyrics: Bolo Hari Bolo Raga: Tilaka Kamod Talas: Kaherva, Dadra

Instruments: Tanpura, Swarmandal, Khol, Kartal, Esraj, Harmonium, Bansuri, Sitar

The fifth track of Sandhya Sadhana is an ecstatic number which is based from a song Bhaktivinoda Thakura wrote in the Gitavali to get everyone to sing the names of Krsna. This song, after the fourth verse, switches into dadra tala fitting inside the normal kaherva tala. Towards the end of the song, we hear kaherva tala in double time. Within the alap, I included the verse from the Brhan Naradiya Purana “harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam kalau nastyev nastyev nastyev gatir anyatha.” The song is loosely based on Raga Tilaka Kamod.

 

Instrumental: Raga Bhupali Dhun (2006) Download

Raga: Bhupali Tala: Bengali Ektal

Instruments: Vina, Khol

The final track of the Sandhya Sadhana is a Raga Bhupali dhun based on Bengali folk melodies and mahamantra tunes based on Bhupali. The rhythm is set to Bangla ektal.

 

Song: Srimac Caitanya Deva Tvam (2006) Download

Lyrics: Srimac Caitanya Deva Tvam Raga: Bagesri, Jhinjhoti Tala: Kaherva, Bhajani

Instruments: Esraj, Tanpura, Harmonium, Bansuri, Tabla, Kartal, Khol, Garba Jhanjha

From the Krsna Lila Stava, this is the one hundred fourth obeisance by Sanatana Goswami glorifying Lord Caitanya and His associates. The bhajan itself is in Raga Bagesri, while the kirtan that follows uses the ma from Bagesri as the new Sa and continues as such to be a Raga Jhinjhoti kirtan. This is the third track of the “Sandhya Sadhana” album.

 

Instrumental: Ragamala Vina (2006) Download

Tala: Kaherva

Instruments: Vina, Tabla

This is a another ragamala, without words this time. This ragamala is starting from Raga Misra Pilu and ends with the raga. In between, other ragas are explored. This ragamala is an interesting one, for it shows more clearly how changing one note in the raga can alter the mood and nature of the musical piece. The tala is kaherva tala.

 

Song: Jaya Radha Vallabha Jaya Radha Vinoda (2006)  Download

Lyrics: Jaya Radha Vallabha Jaya Radha Vinoda Raga: Purvi Tala: Bhajani

Instruments: Esraj, Tanpura, Tabla, Kartal

A rare Bhaktivinoda bhajan found in the Gitavali is rendered in the rare evening Raga Purvi. This glorifies various names and forms of Sri Sri Radha Krsna. This is fourth track of the “Sandhya Sadhana” album.

 

Instrumental: “Separation” (2006) Download

Raga: Bhairavi Tala: Kaherva

Instruments: Esraj, Tabla

The final track of the Ataraxis album is based on Raga Bhairavi and its folk-forms. Making a quick cameo in the song is the music of the Vaisnava song, Bhaja Hu Re Mana.

 

Instrumental: “Bengali Monsoons Rain Kafi Colors” (2006) Download

Raga: Megha Tala: Bengali Ektal

Instruments: Esraj, Khol

Based on the duplex of Raga Megha (“monsoon”) and Madhyamad Saranga, this track is using Bengali folk-melodies based on the Kafi that. This is a Bengali style ragamala with Kafi ragas, such as Malhar, Kafi, Dhani, and Misra Pilu. Featured in the “Ataraxis” album.

 

Instrumental: “Morning Meditation” (2006) Download

Raga: Lalita Tala: Bhajani

Instruments: Esraj, Tabla

Raga Lalita is potrayed as the morning raga of meditation for “Ataraxis.” This an esraj solo with tabla played at a dim level due to the fact that the night is making its transition to early morning hours.

 

Instrumental: “Vandanam” (2006) Download

Raga: Khammaja

Instruments: Esraj, Vina

Vandanam literally means offering obeisances or prayers. The first track is based off of typical tunes that can be used for praying or singing slokas or verses. The instruments featured are the esraj and khol that are playing free from any rhythm. This first track of Ataraxis is based on Raga Khamaja.

 

Song: Jaya Jaya Jagannatha Sacira Nandana (2006) Download

Lyrics: Jaya Jaya Jagannatha Sacira Nandana Raga: Kedar Tala: Kaherva

Instruments: Esraj, Tanpura, Tabla, Kartal, Harmonium, Sitar

This is a famous bhajan chanted in Bangladesh written Vasudeva Ghosh. This song is a mix of Raga Desakara and Raga Kedar. This is the first song in the recording “Sandhya Sadhana.”

 

Instrumental: Raga Alankara Priya (2006) Download

Raga: Alankarapriya Tala: Tintal

Instruments: Vina, Khol

This is an instrumental on the guitar-vina of a very ancient and rare raga known as Alankara Priya. The rhythm is in tintal, of sixteen matras. This is the second track for “Sandhya Sadhana.”

 

Song: Vrndavana Ramya Sthana (2005) Download

Lyrics: Vrndavana Ramya Sthana Raga: Bairagi Tala: Kaherva

Instruments: Esraj, Bansuri, Khol, Kartal, Shehnai, Vina

This is a bhajan by Narottama Das Thakura from the Prarthana. This describes the beautiful nature of Vrndavana, Lord Krsna’s eternal abode. This song was sung in Raga Bairagi expressing the “dream sequence” motif for those who have never been to Vrndavana.

 

Song: Sri Krsna Virohe Radhikar Dasa (2005)  Download

Lyrics: Sri Krsna Virohe Radhikar Dasa Raga: Gunakri Tala: Rupak

Instruments: Khol, Kartal, Sitar, Sarod, Bansuri, Koto, Harmonium, Tanpura

This is a bhajan by Bhaktivinoda Thakura found at the end of the Gitamala. It describes a devotee's pain in seeing Radha and Krsna separated and would do anything, including giving up his life to see Them together happily. The raga was set to Gunakri and the tala was Rupak Tala. Sung as well as harmonium and kartal playing by Abhijit , while I composed the tune and included the khol and other melodic instruments.

 

Song: Nava Gaura Varama (2005) Download

Lyrics: Nava Gaura Varam Raga: Kafi Tala: Bhajani

Instruments: Sitar, Sarod, Esraj, Tabla, Kartal

This is a set of eight prayers glorifying Lord Caitanya, the son of Saci-devi. This was written by Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya, His contemporary. The astakam is sung in Raga Kafi in Bhajani Tala.

 

Song: Parama Karuna (2005) Download

Lyrics: Parama Karuna Raga: Khammaja Tala: Dadra

Instruments: Tabla, Sarod, Kartal, Esraj, Bansuri

The most peaceful track from Matchless Gifts based on Raga Khamaja. The song describes how the most merciful Lord appeared in two forms: Lord Gauracandra and Lord Nityananda and the glory of their mercy. It is set to Dadra Tala of six beats.

 

Song: Raga Adana Kirtan (2005) Download

Raga: Adana Tala: Tintal

Instruments: Sitar, Esraj, Kartal, Tabla

Track from Matchless Gifts. Panca Tattva Mahamantra and Hare Krsna mahamantra kirtan set in an evening raga Adana in a sixteen beat rhythmic cycle known as tintal.

 

Song: Govinda Kesava Janardana Vasudeva (2005) Download

Lyrics: Govinda Kesava Janardana Vasudeva Raga: Hamsadhwani Tala: Jhaptal

Instruments: Bansuri, Vina, Violin, Kartal, Mridangam (Carnatic), Baul Baya

One of the rare fusions between Hindustani and Carnatic music is found in this track. The song is originally spoken by Lord Rama glorifying Lord Nrsimhadeva in Ahovala in South India. It is found in the Harivamsa Purana Chapter 47 as the Nrsimha Pancaratna. The style of this track has a mix of Sanskrit and Tamil pronunciation of words and ornamentations. The percussion style is a blend between non-fixed grooves and fixed grooves. One of the songs from Matchless Gifts.

 

Song: Sri Hari Vasare Hari Kirtana Vidhana (2005) Download

Lyrics: Sri Hari Vasare Hari Kirtana Vidhana Raga: Bilavala Tala: Visva

Instruments: Esraj, Tabla, Kartal, Khol

This song from Matchless Gifts describes the pastimes and glories of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's sankirtana with His associates accompanying him and the joys felt by exalted devotees and personalities on Sri Hari Vasare (Ekadasi). The musical aspect came to me in an odd dream that I heard an "Ekadasi bhajan in Vishwa Tala of thirteen beats." I decided to execute that dream into a reality. To create the atmosphere, I decided to use the least number of instruments. The real catch to the song is to sing an such a rare and odd meter of thirteen beats! I hope this song can allow one to appreciate the rare features of Indian classical music.

 

Instrumental: Raga Gunakri (2005) Download

Raga: Gunakri Tala: Rupak

Instruments: Santoor, Tabla, Tanpura

This is a classical recording of me playing the keyboarded-santoor and tabla set to rupak tala. Please note the unique tuning of the tanpura which fits the melody in all cases. This raga is a morning raga during the cloudy and raining morning skies.

 

Song: Ohe Vaisnava Thakura Doyara Sagara (2005) Download

Lyrics: Ohe Vaisnava Thakura Doyara Sagara Raga: Kausikdhwani Tala: Bhajani

Instruments: Sitar, Esraj, Tabla, Bansuri, Kartal, Vina

Bhajan by Bhaktivinoda Thakura based on Raga Bhinna Shadja/Kaushikdhwani glorifying the Vaisnava. Sample of the Matchless Gifts album.

 

Song: Krsna Deva Bhavantam Vande (2005) Download

Lyrics: Krsna Deva Bhavantam Vande Raga: Misra Gara Tala: Rupak

Instruments: Sitar, Esraj, Tabla, Kartal

Bhajan by Rupa Goswami glorifying Lord Krsna. The raga is based on Mishra Gara in rupak tala of seven beats. Sample of Matchless Gifts album.

 

Song: Raga Sivaranjani Kirtan (2004) Download

Raga: Sivaranjani Tala: Ektal

Instruments: Tabla, Tanpura, Sarangi

Sung and arranged by Abhijit. I just put the sarangi parts in there.

 

Instrumental: Raga Dhani (2004) Download

Raga: Dhani Tala: Kaherva

Instruments: Khol, Tanpura, Esraj

A very romantic and sweet raga in the night played on an instrument known as the esraj. An unusual selection of the Bengali khol is used to accompany the esraj. The khol indeed shows classical features not really explored in its current applications. Also note the shades of Raga Bhimphalasi used in here to give it a unique feel in Bengal. This is my first recording of the esraj.

 

Instrumental: Raga Bhairavi (2004) Download

Raga: Bhairavi Tala: Dadra

Instruments: Tabla, Tanpura, Guitar

A meditative three minute sample of Raga Bhairavi in dadra tala of six beats on the guitar played and modified to sound like a hybrid-sitar/vina. Raga Bhairavi is considered to be the raga with most freedom and the raga that signifies the finale of a program.

 

Vocal: Kheyal in Raga Hemanta (2004) Download

Raga: lHemanta Tala: Ektal

Instruments: Tabla, Tanpura, Violin

Kheyal in vilambit ektal (slow cycle of twelve beats) in a very painfilled raga sung in the night. This is only a sample of it. Lyrics: slow motion of harer nama mantra.

 

Song: Jiv Jago (2004)  Download

Lyrics: Jiv Jago Jiv Jago  Raga: Jhinjhoti Tala: Kaherva

Instruments: Tabla, Tanpura, Khol, Kartal, Sarangi, Harmonium

This is the second morning song of the Gitavali. This one is a shorter song preaching Lord Caitanya’s message. This song’s musical track was recorded in June 2004, with Abhijit recording his vocals for the mahamantra independently. I recorded the bhajan half later in 2004. I pasted both halves of it together. Note that one of the interludes has the asthayi from sarangi played the backwards.

 

Song: Udilo Aruna (2004) Download

Lyrics: Udilo Aruna Puraba Bhage Raga: Bangala Tala: Bengali Ektal

Instruments: Khol, Garba Jhanjha, Ghungru, Kartal, Sarangi, Dotara (Bengali), Bansuri

This is the first song in Gitavali describing Lord Caitanya message that He preaches when He wakes up. This song was one of the first songs in which I was able to improvise beyond the “antara-asthayi” format used in bhajans, especially with the second verse. This song is in the Bengali morning raga known as Raga Bangala in a special twelve beat cycle known as Bangla Ektal.

 

Instrumental: Vacya O Vacaka Dui Swarupa (2004) Download

Lyrics: Vacya O Vacaka Dui Svarupa Raga: Vrndavana Saranga Tala: Dipchandi

Instruments: Tabla, Sarangi, Sitar, Sarod

This is an instrumental of a bhajan in Raga Brindavani Sarang which was penned by Bhaktivinoda Thakura. The rhythm is also in a less common tala of fourteen beats per cycle known as Dip-chandi.

 

Song: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya (2003) Download

Raga: Malkauns Tala: Tintal

Instruments: Tanpura, Tabla, Kartal, Harmonium

Harmonium and Vocals by Abhijit, this chant worships Vasudeva, another name of Krsna. The raga is set to a midnight raga known as Malkauns. I put the tabla and tanpura parts in. This recording became the start of my newer style of recording music and sound quality.

 

Song: Raga Bhatiyara Kirtan (2003) Download

Raga: Bhatiyara Tala: Jhaptala

Instruments: Tabla, Violin

This is another raga-based kirtan of the Hare Krishna mahamantra in ten beat cycle known as jhap-tala. This raga is a very ancient raga known today as Bhatiyara. It serves as a crux between morning Bhairava and the evening Marwa ragas. I was very "tired" as well as ill when singing this. It was recorded in November 2002, but edited (for the coughs) and released in January 2003.

 

Song: Raga Marwa Kirtan (2002) Download

Raga: Marwa Tala: Tintal

Instruments: Tabla, Violin

This is a kirtan of the Hare Krishna mahamantra in sixteen beats in a very melancholic and harmonically unstable raga known as Marwa.

 

Song: Ragamala Kirtana (2002) Download

Ragas:  Tala: Kaherva

Instruments: Khol, Violin

In Hindustani music, one improvisational feature done by most artists is the "ragamala." The ragamala ("raga" + "mala" garland) is a musical piece which includes segments of various ragas. This is a ragamala which has different ragas from North and South Indian ragas used in the Hare Krsna mahamantra. The ragas are as follows.Suddha Bhairavi, Bangla Bhairavi, Basant Mukhari, Namonarayani, Puriya Dhanasri, Latangi, Sivaranjani, Kafi, and Darbari Kanhada. This was recorded at Buffalo, NY in October 2002.

 

Instrumental: Raga Malkauns (2002)

Raga: Malkauns Tala: Tintal

Instruments: Sitar, Tabla

One of my all-time favorite recordings I performed in. I was sponsored by IPAS (Indian Performing Arts Society) of Binghamton, New York to accompany renowned sitarist, Dr. Gopiben Parikh. Even though my knowledge of music was not mature then, she kindly allowed me to accompany her. She was playing Raga Malkauns and I was accompanying her on the tabla.

 

Song: Raga Darbari Kirtan in Kheyal Style (2001) Download

Raga: Darbari Kanhada Tala: Tintal

Instruments: Tabla, Violin, Harmonium

This is the Hare Krsna mahamantra used in Raga Darbari in vilambit tintal, or a slow cycle of sixteen beats (tintal).

 

Instrumental: Tabla Solo (2001) Download

Tala: Tintal

Instrument: Tabla

As tabla was my first instrument, I used to practice accompaniment and solo on the tabla. I used to record several tabla solos. This is a concert version of a tabla solo I did; in fact, the last tabla solo I did.

 

Song: Raga Asavari Dhun (2000) Download

Raga: Asavari Tala: Kaherva

Instruments: Kartal, Khol, Tabla, Violin

This track is a kirtan in Raga Asavari sung by Abhijit  for the Gaura Mangala album. The khol was played by Abhijit, kartals by Manu, and violin and tabla by me.

 

Song: Yasomati Nandana Brajabara Nagara (2000) Download

Lyrics: Yasomati Nandana Raga: Des Tala: Dadra

Instruments: Khol, Sitar, Violin, Bansuri, Kartal

This is another good seelction from Gaura Mangala. The bhajan is written by Bhaktivinoda Thakura in the book Gitavali. This sings the glories and activities of Lord Krsna. The khol was played by Abhijit and kartals by another close friend, Manu . Based on Raga Desh in Khemta Tala.

 

Song: Jaya Radha Madhava (2000) Download

Lyrics: Jaya Radha Madhava Raga: Darbari Kanhada Tala: Kaherva

Instruments: Tabla, Violin, Harmonium, Khol, Kartal, Soft Whompers

Here is a rendering of the song that is commonly sung before Bhagavad-Gita Class. This was from the Gaura Mangala album. The original author of this Bhaktivinoda Thakura, who glorifies Krsna in His different forms. The raga is Darbari and the tala is Kaherva. This was one of my few recordings that was before I had some strengthening in my Indian and Bengali pronunciation.

 

Song: Sri Krsna Caitanya Prabhu Doya Koro More (2000) Download

Lyrics: Sri Krsna Caitanya Prabhu Doya Koro More Raga: Kafi Tala: Kaherva

Instruments: Tabla, Violin, Kartal

From the Gaura Mangala album, this song by Narottama Dasa Thakura glorifies Lord Caitanya and His associates. Abhijit and Manu were on kartals.

 

Song: Boro Sukher Khabor Gai (2000) Download

Lyrics: Boro Sukher Khabor Gai Raga: Kafi Tala: Prabhupada

Instruments: Khol, Harmonium, Kartal

When Bhaktivinoda Thakura held Nama Hatta meetings, he used to sing this song. In an attempt to replicate this mood, this song was included in Gaura Mangala. Khol was played wonderfully by Abhijit and kartals by Manu. I played harmonium and sang.

 

Song: Natha Hari Jagannatha Hari (2000) Download

Lyrics:  Natha Hari Jagannatha Hari Raga: Darbari Kanhada Tala: Tintal

Instruments: Tabla, Violin, Harmonium, Kartal

This is the first digital recording I did with Abhijit and Manu; this song being one of our countless projects we tackled. This song was the first song of the album "Gaura Mangala." The bhajan is by Jayadeva Goswami. Raga is Darbari Kanhada in Tintal.

 

Song: Bhaja Hu Re Mana (1999) Download

Lyrics: Bhaja Hu Re Mana Raga: Bhairavi Tala: Sitarkhani

Instruments: Tabla, Violin

This rendition of Bhaja Hu Re Mana was recorded in 1999. Before I had access to multitrack recording and better reverb, this was the quality I used to produce then. The raga is Bhairavi, tala is half sitarkhani, and the author to this bhajan is Govinda Dasa Kaviraja.

 

UPDATED: January 8, 2010