With the conferring of Bharat Ratna on Pt. Bhimsen Joshi a number of compilations are being re-released by Music labels. Mostly these are recordings of vocals. Times Music in one of its compilation however has released a 4-Volume CD Set of Bhimsen Joshi relating to his Bhajan recordings, aptly titled SANKIRTAN.
The first volume starts with the beautiful poetry of Mirabai, More ghar aavo pritam pyaara. This follows by the Jaidev composition from the Film ‘Ankahee’, Raghuvar tumko meri laaj sung in Raag Mishr Khamaj. The live rendition of this Tulsidas number has a special flavour compared to the studio recorded version. Raam kahiye raam japiye penned by Narayan Agarwal based on Malkauns and Chandrakauns makes oneself immersed in the divine swirl of this number.
The remaining two numbers are the Mirabai’s Chalo man ganga jamuna teer and Jo bhaje hari ko sada sung in Raag Tilak Kamod and Bhairav respectively.
The singing invokes the psychic experience. The second volume contains two compositions in Raag Purvi and Raag Yaman.These are Hariye mai ka sab such denho and Avagun na kijiye gunsan guni jane gun ki saagar. The vocals with their notes and sculpture present a solemn and serene mood.
The third volume is the chanting of ‘Vitthala Vitthala’. The continuous chanting of the auspicious name in the magical voice revering Lord Panduranga instills the sense of peace and spirituality. The final volume is again the sankeertan ’Jai jai Rama Krishna hari’. As Bhimsen Joshi sings the divine name swaying through bends and curves in the vocal, the listener is transported into another world.
The Albums were released separately as Jantra, Tantra, Yantra and Mantra presenting live recording at Radha Krihsna Utsav, ISKCON, Mumbai. It is an opportunity for those having a pulse for the divine melody to own this Set at a special price of Rs.895/- released by Times Music.