Dhrupad vocal Raga Bhairava (The morning melody) by Gundecha Brothers
Dhrupad is the most ancient style of hindustani classical music that has survived until today in its original form.The dhrupad tradition is a major heritage of Indian culture.The nature of dhrupad music is spiritual not just confined to merely entertain,but to induce the feeling of peace and contemplation in the listner.The word dhrupad is derived from DHRUVA the stead fast evening star that moves thru galaxy and Pada meaning poetry.It is a form of devotional music which traces its origin to the ancient text of samaveda.The Samaveda was chanted with the help of melody and rhythm,called samagana.Gradually this developed into other vocal style called 'Chhanda' and 'Prabandha' with introduction of verse and meter.The fusion of this two elements led to the emergence of dhrupad.By the eleventh century dhrupad music had crsytallized into a perfect form which has retained its original structure and purity until today.
One of the significant characteristics of dhrupad is the emphasis on maintaining purity of the ragas and the swaras.According to some accounts,dhrupad used to be sung in the temples with the singer facing the divinity.From this early chanting,dhrupad evolved into a sophisticated classical form of music.The language of dhrupad changed from sanskrit to Brij sometime between the 12th and the 16th century.About six centuries ago,dhrupad began to be patronized by the royal courts and its complex rendering became intented for highly sophisticated royal audiences.The compositions became more secular.Somewhere written in the praise of the emperors;others elaborated on music itself.However the pristine nature of dhrupad survives.Today we hear this majestic form of music performed like it did more than 500years ago in the royal courts of the emperors and kings of India.
Raga Bhairava Aalap - 53:09
Dhrupad in Choutal- 15:06
'Saghan Bana Chhayo'
