Multiple compositions in Raga Yaman
The record for the maximum number of compositions made on Yaman Raga was set by Prof (Ms) Deepashree Patil aka P Deepashree, Associate Professor (Indian music) at Binzani Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Nagpur.
Prof Deepashree Patil, who is known as P Deepashree to classical music lovers, has set a unique record for maximum compositions made on Yaman Raga. While serving as an Associate Professor of Music at Binzani Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Nagpur, Deepashree composed 15 bandishes — a fixed, melodic composition in Hindustani vocal — in Raga Yaman. Deepashree, along with her disciples, performed all of the 15 bandishes back to back at the Shikshak Sahakari Bank Hall in Nagpur. This feat was simultaneously accepted as a new record by the India Book of Records and the Asia Book of Records.
Deepshree got her initial lessons in music from Pt Bhaiyaji Vazalwar and Nisha Kulkarni. She has already published two books – ‘Geet Bhaskar’ and ‘Swardeep’, based on her compositions. She has several classical music albums to her credit and has also produced several live music shows, mainly based on Raga Yaman. Deepashree says, “I tried to keep all the 15 bandishes quite simple and used the traditional Teental and Ektal rhythms for these compositions. Seven of them are lyrical compositions (songs) while the remaining are Taranas (musical notes).”
Harmonium artist Shrikant Pise and percussionist Nilesh Khonde accompanied her during the record-setting feat. Saraswat Sangeet Vidyalaya and Ekadanta Creations organised the musical event. Narayan Mangrulkar, Acharya Vivek Gokhale, Prof Nisha Kulkarni, and many known personalities from the field of classical music were present at the programme. Acharya Gokhale said, “It requires not only expertise but also passion to compose bandishes in Indian classical music. I have three PhD degrees in music. My next will be on aesthetics in the compositions made by Prof Deepashree.”
“In our culture and creativity section, Deepashree’s record has been accepted under the title of ‘Most compositions by a female professor in Raga Yaman’. No one else has attempted such a record earlier,” said Dr Manoj Tatwadi, adjudicator of the India Book of Records after handing over the certificates and medals to the professor.
“There are very few dedicated disciples of classical music. Creating such a unique record will mark the beginning of new competition in this field. Ultimately, it will benefit classical music,” said Makarand Bhalerao of Ekadant Creations.
It is worth a mention that Raga Yaman (also known as Kalyaan, Iman, Aiman, or Kalyani in Carnatic classical music) is considered to be one of the most fundamental and basic ragas in Hindustani tradition. It is rendered at a time when lights are put on or during the night’s first quarter. Yaman is a heptatonic (Sampurna) Indian classical raga of Kalyan Thaat. Not to be mistaken, Raga Yaman is slightly different from Raga Yaman Kalyan. Both have almost the same base, but they are sung differently.