Jain Spirit 1999 07 No 01

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 32

JAIN CDS MADE IN AMERICA
BY AJAY PUNATAR
Praveen Chaddha and Darshana Bhuta both come from India but have settled in California, USA. Both were accomplished musicians in their own right. However, it was only once they were settled in the USA that they came across each other. Very soon they became a strong musical pairing entertaining live audiences with Ghazals, Movie songs and Bhajans. Darshana was and continues to be supported by her husband Ramesh Bhuta in her musical career.
Around 1994/95, the Jain Centre of Northern California approached Praveen and Darshana asking if they would be interested in producing a CD in time for the annual Jaina convention. Although not Jains themselves, Praveen and Darshana had no hesitation in taking on this exciting project. This resulted in their first Jain CD Bhajman 3. The success of this at the convention encouraged the Jain Centre to go back to Praveen and Darshana with further requests at subsequent Jaina conventions which has resulted in two more CDs to date.
In total, Praveen and Darshana have produced six CDs of which three are Jain related. Each of the three Jain CDs is very different. What they have in common is a professional quality of the final product in every respect from the quality of composition music, recording, mixing and final production. All CDs are digitally recorded and produced.
The quality of Praveen and Darshana's singing is clear and well controlled. It does not have too many "twiddles" or variations in the singing style, which allows
28
Jain Spirit⚫ July - September 1999
the listener to appreciate the lyrics and the deep thoughts woven within the words sometimes. You know how some music you listen to you fee like the performers are telling you "listen to me - how accomplished a musician I am"? In this pair's case it is almost like they are saying, "let us just help you appreciate the beauty of some of the Jain devotional songs
Bhajman 3 Jaikari Navkar
These are original compositions of Jain Stavans written by Gurudev Shi Amar Muniji. The CD was released during the 8th Biennial Jaina Convention in the USA. I have not heard any of the Stavans sung before, other than of course, the Navkar Mantra, but even that is sung in an original tune.
The Stavans are largely sung in duets by Praveen and Darshana. An inter esting feature is a strong backing chorus of 11 singers which adds variety and makes you want to join in and be part of the chorus! Also a thoughtfu supplement is the accompanying set of notes which provides all the words of the Stavans in English as well as Hindi.
The instrumental pieces throughout give a good variety and are enjoyable to listen to. Most instruments are authentic sounds rather than synthesised on keyboards. The combination of sarod, sitar, flute and dilruba works very well and complements the singing to produce well-balanced compositions which are easy to listen to. I would have loved more background instrumental chords with the singing, and perhaps more variety in the percussion instruments rather just Tabla and Manjira. Also I thought that some tracks could have been shorter however that probably says more about me and my short attention span in my western life style than anything about the music!
For me the most impressive tracks were the Navkar Mantra and Pras-hsast-Prarthanaa. Both have wonderful tunes which are also easy to learn. They also seem to be the most creative compositions with strong supporting instrumentals and chorus.
શ્રીમદ રાજચંદ્રજી રચિત
શ્રી આત્મસિદ્ધિ
આ પુસ્તીકાને નીચે મૂકી અશાતના ન કરવા વિનંતી છે.