Swaranjali

 

I heard Pandit Kumar Gandharva singing in a private Mehfil at Vile Parle when I was barely seven years old. My father Senior Journalist Madhu Shetye who was connoisseur  of Indian Classical Music was keen that I listen to classical music  had taken me along with him to attend this programme. This was first programme which I attended and had a great impact on me till date. I was too young to understand the finer nuances of classical music but what I heard was magical and divine. Today when I listen to Kumarji’s audios and videos I am compelled to write about this musical genius. My father has a wonderful collection of classical music and recently I have digitalised many cassettes to preserve this lovely music and to share it with other music lovers. It is gratitude for my music loving parents that I decided to write about music and preserve it.

On 34^th Punyatithee of Pandit Kumar Gandharva my Swaranjali. 

Pandit Kumar Gandharva  ( 8 April 1924 – 12 January 1992 ) is a renowned Indian, Hindustani classical singer. Originally known as Shivaputra Siddharamayya Komkali  he was, well known for his unique vocal style and for his refusal to be bound by the tradition of any gharana. The name, Kumar Gandharva, is a title given to him when he was a child prodigy; Gandharvas are celestial musicians in Hindu mythology.

By the age of five, he had already shown signs of a musical prodigy and first appeared on stage at the age of 10. When he was 11, his father sent him to study music under the well-known classical teacher, B.R. Deodhar. Kumar Gandharva studied in Deodhar School of Music at Opera House, Mumbai. His mastery of technique and musical knowledge was so rapid that Gandharva himself was teaching at the school before he had turned 20. By his early 20s, Gandharva was seen as a star of music and was praised by critics.

Gandharva experimented with other forms of singing such as Nirguni bhajans (devotional songs), folk songs, and with both ragas and presentation, often going from fast to slow compositions in the same raga. A Nirgun Bhajan is a devotional song focused on the concept of the formless, attribute-less Divine (God without physical form or specific characteristics), emphasizing spiritual wisdom, the nature of reality, and the journey to self-realization, often contrasting with Saguna (form-based) devotion. These bhajans explore profound philosophical ideas about life, existence, and the ultimate truth, often attributed to mystics like Kabir. Kabir is the premier nirgun poet of North India.

Pandit Kumar Gandharva was a musicologist and he deeply studied folk music (especially from Malwa), and sung many folk songs called Malwi Geet. Uthi Uthi Sakhi Sab Mangal Dayi,  is a famous Malwi Geet another famous song is Main Gaoon Pad Gaun. Yugan Yugan Ham Yogi is a Kabir Bhajan. Udho Akhiyan Ati Anuragi is a Malwi Geet. Mhara Olagiya Ghar Ayaji is another beautifully sung Meera Bhajan.   Ud Jayega Hans Akela Jag Darshan Ka Mela a beautiful deeply spiritual Kabir Bhajan. Aho Pati So Upai Kacchu Kije a Soordas Bhajan sung soulfully by Kumar Gandharva. Nirbhay Nirgun a famous Kabir Nirguni Bhajan. Piya Ji mhare Naina Aage- Meera Bhajan. Nain ghat ghat tan a Soordas Bhajan and Kaun Thagva Nagariya Lootal Ho a deeply philosophical and outstanding rendition. Sakhi Mori Nind Nasani Ho is another beautifully sung Meera Bhajan.

 He composed many new raagas like  Gandhi, Ahimohini, Malvati, Saheli Todi, Beehad Bairav, and Lagan Gandhar, showcasing his unique blend of traditional Hindustani music with indigenous sounds, a style he termed "Dhun Ugam Ragas". Thus he was a musical genious.

He is remembered for his great legacy of innovation, questioning tradition without rejecting it outright, resulting in music in touch with the roots of Indian culture, especially the folk music of Madhya Pradesh. His innovative approach towards music led to the creation of new ragas from combinations of older ragas.

Pandit Kumar Gandharva also sang Natya Sangeet with equal finess. I have heard his Natya Sangeet such as Nath Ha Maza Mohi Khala, Sujan Kasa Man Chori ,  Mama Atma Gamala Ha from Sangeet Natak Swayamwar. Mala Madan Bhase Ha Mohe Mana from Sangeet Manapman . Karina Yadumani Sadana from Swayamwar, Kashi Ya Tyaju Padala from Ekach Pyala. Nayane Lajavit from Manapman, Virat Jnyani Kondatala from Sangeet Natak Draupadi,  Prabhu Aji Gamala Mani Toshala from Ekach Pyala.

I have heard many beautiful renditioning of ragas like Bahar, Kaamod, Dhanbasanti, Gaud Malhar, Meg, Savani, Sindura, Shankara, Bihag, Jeevanpuri, Gandhi Malhar,  Miya Malhar.

Some of his famous songs are Rajan Ab to Aaja Re, Jamuna Kinare Mora Gaon Sware Aijaiyo, Aaj Achanak Gath Pade, Ajuni Rusun Aahe Khulata Kali Khulena, Uthi Uthi Gopala, Runanubandhachya Jithun Padlya Gathi Bhetit Trushtata  Mothi.

These are timeless melodies which many generations will cherish. Pandit Kumar Gandharva will continue to mesmerise his audience with his musical genius.

Nana Chowk Fire Brigade

 One of the earliest fire stations in Bombay was established in the 1920s at Nana Chowk. The fire station is listed as a Grade III heritage site by the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee. As part of the Fire Brigade headquartered at Byculla, it has developed over the years, from horse-drawn steam engines putting out fires in the vicinity to large fire engines handling emergencies and major disasters. (reference : https://www.mcgm.gov.in/..)

This is the photograph of the original Nana Chowk Fire Brigade before it was reconstructed. The Fire Brigade underwent a total revamp from 2013 onwards and now has been transformed. It has 3 fire engines.

                                        Original Nana Chowk Fire Brigade -photo credit Chandana Shetye

                                           

                                           The Nana Chowk Fire Brigade at present.

Nana Chowk's Historical Legacy

     Photo credit Chandana Shetye

Nana Chowk is located at Grant Road, South Mumbai. It is a confluence of five major roads. It is named after Jagannath Shankarsheth  also called as Nana Shankarsheth .  

Jagannath Shankarsheth Murkute MLC (10 February 1803 – 31 July 1865) popularly known as Nana Shankarsheth was an Indian Philanthropist and Educationalist. He was born in the wealthy Murkute family in Murbad,Thane. In 1861 he was a member of Bombay presidency assembly. In 1862 he became the adviser of governor of Bombay presidency. Nana Donated Huge Acres of land for Formation of Mumbai city and for development of Port areas in Mumbai. He died in Mumbai on 31 July 1865. A year after his death a marble statue was erected at the Asiatic Society of Mumbai. Erstwhile Girgaon Road and Nana Chowk ( Jagannath Sunkerseth Chowk) at Grant Road are named after him in South Mumbai.

The sprawling Victoria Gardens, housing a zoo, botanical gardens and the Bhau Daji Lad Museum, was the product of his vision and efforts.

The Bhavani-Shankar Mandir and The Ram Mandir near Nana Chowk were built by Shankarsheth Babulsheth in the early-19th century and are currently in the possession of the Shankarsheth family. The statue in the photographs above is of Nana Shankarsheth in Nana Chowk and every year his descendants gather on 31st July to pay homage to him and his great philanthropic work .

Nana Chowk Before Skywalk was Constructed

 Nana Chowk Before Skywalk was Constructed - Pictures by Chandana Shetye

This is the Nana Chowk Junction with Ishwardas Mansion , Ness Baug and New Municipal Building

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Chandana Shetye - Senior Researcher in Urban Governance gave guidance in Area Sabha at Azmi Nagar on Community Participation Law on 26th Spetember 2010

Chandana Shetye's Interview Published in Chitralekha 5 February 2007

 

Maharashtra Social Watch Report 2010 - Chandana Shetye