Gayati. Live. Breathe. Sing! Informal singing by Gauri Varma

GAURI VARMA

Largely untrained, I sing because....I am! To express my inner being. To connect with a rainbow of universal thoughts and emotions through informal, solo renditions of some favourite songs in varied languages and genres (semi-classical Bandish, Sufi compositions, Ghazals, traditional wedding songs, folk songs in Hindi dialects/other Indian vernaculars, Bhajans, Sanskrit Stotra, Hindi film songs, popular English songs etc as the fancy takes me). I sing raw, without accompaniment or with minimal instrumental accompaniment. Available on Anchor Spotify Gaana Google Podcst Apple Podcst YouTube

  1. 03/08/2024

    Shiv Bhajan 'Gal Bhujang Bhasm Ang' (my rendition of the Shiv Prayer sung by Pt Chhannulal Mishra)

    I have attempted a favourite Shiv Bhajan, a beautiful version of which has been liltingly sung by Pandit Chhannulal Mishra of Banaras, based on Raag Des. The lyrics in colloquial Hindi (closest to Bhojpuri) are from Goswami Tulsidas' 'Ram Charit Maanas' and describe Shiv endearingly as the paradoxical ascetic-house holder, oblivious of social conventions, with a snake wrapped around his neck, ash-smeared semi-naked body, the bestower of blessings to all but himself, possessor of nothing. He is accompanied by his faithful spouse, Parvati, who fondly chides him for his eccentric ways.

    6 min

  2. 02/13/2024

    Sufi Bandish 'Phool Rahi Sarson' (my rendition of Bahadur Shah Zafar's composition)

    Composed by the last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar in the 19th century, using his pen name 'Aashiq Rang', this beautiful Bandish pays homage to Sufi Pir Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya and at the same time, nostalgically describes the unique beauty of spring in Zafar's beloved homeland of India, a magical time when golden mustard and 'tesu' flowers bloom in lush forests, the mango trees blossom preparing to fruit, the koel sings, and young, fair maidens beautify themselves. A 'maalin' (woman gardener) brings an earthen pot and plants an array of flowers in it to take as an offering to the door of Khwaja Nizamuddin. Zafar remembers his promise to visit that hallowed doorway, a promise made a long time before, which he was unable to fulfill. My amateur rendition is based on Raag Shahaana Bahaar, in the style of the Agra Gharaana.

    6 min

  3. 01/25/2024

    'Suni Nahi Zamaane Ne Teri Meri Kahaaniyan' (my rendition of the popular Coke Studio song)

    I have attempted a haunting love song with tender and sad lyrics. Two people who were deeply in love with an ethereal sort of love are separated by circumstances. But their love stays alive within their hearts and though they will probably never be together in the 'real world', they continue to commune through their thoughts and dreams and remain connected at a subliminal level. Originally sung by Pakistani singer Shuja Haider in 2014, the song was reworked as a longer, more complex duet directed by Haider and sung by Momina Mustehsan and Asim Azhar in Coke Studio Season 9 in 2016. The lyrics are unusual as is the melody in its use of varying rhythms and tempos. The song demonstrates an interesting fusion of Western and semi classical music. I have attempted a much simplified version of the duet as a solo, primarily vocal rendition with only a Tanpura accompaniment.

    9 min

  4. 12/25/2023

    'Hodie Christus Natus Est' (my rendition of the traditional Christmas Chant)

    I have attempted a traditional Christian chant that goes back to the early centuries of the Christian era. It is in Latin and rejoices in the birth of Christ. It was incorporated into the formal Catholic liturgy by Poper Gregory but its early renditions predate his time. The chant says that Christ is born today and therefore the angels and archangels rejoice on earth today. All the just and righteous too rejoice saying, 'Glory to God in the Highest'.

    3 min

  5. 12/02/2023

    'Hare Hare Baans Kataa More Anganaa' (my rendition of the wedding song composed by Amir Khusrau)

    I have attempted a beautiful, traditional wedding song which is rooted in the villages of the North Indian Gangetic Plain. Ascribed to 14th century music maestro, poet and Sufi Khwaja Amir Khusrau, the charming, lilting folk melody and lyrics go back centuries and such songs have been sung in the villages of this region for centuries. Amir Khusrau would have been inspired by current rural wedding songs and rituals when he composed this. The poignant song expresses the sentiments of a young bride-to-be addressing her beloved and large-hearted father. She asks him to find the sturdiest greenest bamboos to construct the wedding pavilion or mandwa in the courtyard of her paternal home and to celebrate her wedding with great splendour. She asks him to summon all the local astrologers to set an auspicious time, to invite all the local notables and to send her off with horses, elephants, parrots, gold, money and other valuables so that her mother-in-law doesn't taunt her that she came from her father's home without even a comb for her hair. She says that the threshold of her father's home is a mountain that she must find the courage to cross. Once crossed, she will enter the land of her husband and will not be able to return to her father's home.

    9 min

  6. 11/13/2023

    'Aaj Ajodhya Mein Mangal Mai' (my rendition of a traditional Bhojpuri wedding song)

    I have attempted a favourite, traditional wedding song, probably sung for centuries by women of the Gangetic plains, especially in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The lyrics describe how that day is an auspicious one for Ayodhya and the joyous preparations that are taking place in that ancient city as Prince Ram is about to become a groom. The inhabitants plaster their courtyards and kitchens with cleansing cowdung. The priceless 'gaj-moti' or elephant-pearl is in evidence, a sign of the royal prince's splendour and power. A golden 'kalash' or pot is ritually installed in the marriage courtyard and a clay pitcher of water is placed , invoking the divine energy of the Goddess to bless the wedding rituals that are to commence. The youthful groom comes and sits on the low wooden stool or 'chauki' and ekders bless him by showering handfuls of pearls upon him.

    5 min

  7. 09/23/2023

    'Nit Khair Mangaan Soneya Main Teri' (my rendition of the Punjabi folk-inspired love song)

    I have attempted a favourite Punjabi folk song with Sufi tones. A simple rustic woman expresses her deep selfless love for her handsome lover or 'soneya'. She says that she prays daily to God for his wellbeing and wants nothing else. Her lover has given her so much joy that she is filled with gratitude and wants nothing but to live and die at his feet. She wants him to fully enjoy the prime of his life as Time waits for no one in this world. She prays that if his death is destined before hers, God should take her life instead, as it is her desire that her lover's hands prepare her grave.

    12 min

  8. 08/26/2023

    'Play Me' (my rendition of the song by Neil Diamond)

    I have attempted a favourite love song written and sung by Neil Diamond in 1972. Its intense lyrics can be varyingly interpreted: is he singing of an exceptional love between a man and a woman, or the soulful bond between himself and his guitar (music) or then the spiritual yearning and love between the soul and Divinity? I could not provide the beautiful guitarwork that enrichens his song, so choose to sing without any instrument, which undoubtedly takes away from the beauty and rhythm of the song, but nevertheless, I have made an attempt as I love its lyrics.

    4 min
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Ratings & Reviews

3
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Largely untrained, I sing because....I am! To express my inner being. To connect with a rainbow of universal thoughts and emotions through informal, solo renditions of some favourite songs in varied languages and genres (semi-classical Bandish, Sufi compositions, Ghazals, traditional wedding songs, folk songs in Hindi dialects/other Indian vernaculars, Bhajans, Sanskrit Stotra, Hindi film songs, popular English songs etc as the fancy takes me). I sing raw, without accompaniment or with minimal instrumental accompaniment. Available on Anchor Spotify Gaana Google Podcst Apple Podcst YouTube

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