AOS 4: Indian Music And Mhara Janam Maran - Chiranji Lal Tanwar

Question 1

Instrumentation of Rag Desh, Mhara Janam Maran by Chiranji Lal Tanwar

Answer 1

Voice
   He's accompanied by:
Sarod - a plucked string instrument
Sarangi - a bowed string instrument
Pakhawaj - a long drum with a head at head end 
Tabla
A pair of small cymbals.

Question 2

Rhythm of Rag Desh, Mhara Janam Maran by Chiranji Lal Tanwar

Answer 2

This piece uses an 8-beat cycle called keherwa tal (2 + 2 + 2 + 2)

The rhythmic pattern played by the drums is based on the tal (the cycle of beats repeated and improvised during a performance)
The first beat in a tal is called the sam. It’s often stressed by the musician.

Alap - free and unmetered
Bhajan - steady

Question 3

Structure of Rag Desh, Mhara Janam Maran by Chiranji Lal Tanwar

Answer 3

Alap - the sarangi then the voice introduce the notes of the rag
Slow tempo and no regular pulse

Bhajan - tabla joins in, playing in keherwa tal.
The sung verse is followed by short solos for sarangi and sarod, playing a repeated pattern.
Tanwar decorates important words with melismas and ornaments.

Question 4

Texture of Rag Desh, Mhara Janam Maran by Chiranji Lal Tanwar

Answer 4

Indian classical music is based up of 3 layers:

1) a melodic line played on a solo instrument
2) a rhythmic pattern played on the tabla
3) a drone played on a stringed instrument

Question 5

Melody of Rag Desh, Mhara Janam Maran by Chiranji Lal Tanwar

Answer 5

Melismatic on important parts
Improvised 
Meend on sarangi
Played by voice and sarangi in alap
Short solos in bhajan

Based on rag - a pattern of notes, a little like a scale. Different rags are associated with certain times of the day and year.

The pattern on the way up is different on the way down.

Question 6

Context of Rag Desh, Mhara Janam Maran by Chiranji Lal Tanwar

Answer 6

Rag Desh a example of Indian classical music

It’s an improvised form of musical though improvisations are structured.

It’s a bhajan - a Hindu devotional song

It’s performed by Chiranji Lal Tanwar

It was released in 2004