Magic of the Malhar

chillibreeze writer — Padmaja Punde

A mysterious, soporific downpour and the never ending reverie… I wish I could go on and on with my vacations and snuggle into that thin gossamer-like quilt never used otherwise in Mumbai. But the rains have now arrived and the aroma of a thousand mangoes that lingered on during the summer months has made way for another winning fragrance --- so hypnotic. Yes, it’s the smell of the earth slowly turning lush with greenery. The parched land that was till now dry and desolate is being soaked in the incessant, life-giving rain. In a way, what a relief! The monsoon season is back, as if overnight -- and so is the pleasure of gorging on corncobs roasted on `sigris’. Finally the `malhar ragas’ (monsoon melodies) and the season of music festivals is on. Musicians and regulars get busy to catch the singing of their favorites and relive bitter-sweet memories of the monsoon magic time ragas!

Yes its malhar time. There are times when the monsoons seem to be furious and hell-bent on wiping away everything around them. Here, we see the destructive side of this season. But, there is another side to it too. This city of everyone’s dreams is swept clean only once during the year – and that too, so wonderfully. This natural process of beautifying the city surpasses any other. The grime is washed away during this lovely cool season. Negate the negative and welcome all that is inspiring, positive and vibrant --- say the malhars. My personal favorite is Raga Birjuke Malhar It is an apprachalit (rare) raga, where the lyrics and the music of the composition are perfectly attuned to create the `taandava’ (furious) aspect of the rains. It refers to the `Bijari ki Chamak Damak’ (Flashing of Lightening) and don’t we know this side of the rains too well since time immemorial? Is it really a new occurrence? It’s been there since the ancient times. And of course, remembering your `Shyamrang’ (Lord Krishna) --- who is closest to your heart -- is not a very new emotion too.

The spiraling notes of Birjuke Malhar with its `sam’ (first beat of the `tala’ cycle) on `shuddha madhyam’ (fourth note of the octave) has a cathartic effect. It has a mystical quality about it. Very evocatively painted with music and poetry, it says. it’s time for the awakening of the `biraha ’ bhava (emotion of restless pining) that lies dormant in the subterranean depths of the human heart. It speaks about our being which is forever in a state of longing, for the unattained. Maybe a beloved. Or a dream we have been chasing all our life, which has eluded us.

I also love the traditional composition `Jhoom Aayi Badariya Kaari’ in Raga Meerabai ki Malhar. The tempo is fast and the notes end on the upper shadja (first note of the upper octave) with an undulating pattern. The composition says that the clouds are swaying as if drunk with the ambrosia of life. And of course, the hero and his beloved are also in unison with the Nature surrounding them. They are intoxicated with the mood of the season. Such is the power of malhars.

If you know where to buy these rare CDs, you have a treasure on hand. You can sit back in the cushioned comfort of your home and listen and listen and listen. Or take your ipod along while commuting on your way to college. Better still, make concert going a habit. Drape a lovely sari or take a colorful stole with you, slip into those flowing kurtas and churidaars and have malhars on your wish list.

Classical Music is a lovely, rewarding experience. It’s a habit that will grow on you and stay with you all your life, giving shape to your yet unfulfilled dreams. You will not just be chasing a dream anymore. Nor just gazing at a rainbow all your life. You will be the rainbow. You will be the dream. It’s the dazzle of the lightening that makes it possible.

Chillibreeze's disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of Chillibreeze as a company. Chillibreeze has a strict anti-plagiarism policy. Please contact us to report any copyright issues related to this article.

Out of 5 “chilies”, our editorial team gave this article...

—About our writer:

Padmaja is a Hindustani classical singer and writer who wishes to get into the travel mode in her life. Loves to be with people, enjoys concerts and reading, translating fiction, writing poetry and learning more and more about the arts – whether theater, film, music, dance, painting or sculpture. She dreams of getting her poems and short stories published. She was awarded a prize by `Katha’ and the British Council for translating fiction from Marathi into English.

Magic of the Malhar

>> Read more articles written by Chillibreeze writers: