About Gayati. Live. Breathe. Sing! Informal singing by 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
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Spotify
Gaana
Google Podcst
Apple Podcst
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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.
13 Feb 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.
25 Jan 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.
Reach and audience
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Apple Podcasts (US)
3.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
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