In Review--Persian Poetry and the Equinox
World
Shujaat Husain Khan,
Katayoun Goudarzi,
Abhiman Kaushal and
Ajay Prasanna
Spring
(no label)
To say that Spring
by Hindustani sitarist Shujaat Husain Khan and Iranian vocalist Katayoun Goudarzi
is a “heart” album barely describes the listening experience. Combining the ancient Sufi poet Rumi’s
soulful language with the strains of Indian sitar, bansuri flute (Ajay
Prasanna) and gentle tabla beats (Abhiman Kaushal), these musicians aim for
spiritual Oneness and achieve it.
Certainly, I would love to have the Rumi text in front of me while
listening to this double CD recording, but even closing my eyes and allowing
the voices and instruments to float over and around me takes me to a meditative
place.
Yâr with its
lilting melody, repetitive poetry line, and delicious beats as well as, passionate
Spring (titular track), stand out as
favorites for me. The first song
mentioned features virtuoso sitar that wraps around Goudarzi’s sensual alto
voice. You can feel the singer’s longing
dripping off her voice. When Husain Khan
and Goudarzi’s voices blend together listeners enjoy a musical respite as
well. Can’t have spring without Autumn and on this dreamy track, we are
treated to alap moments (the first and slow movement of a raga where a melody
gently unfolds). The bansuri flute,
baritone vocals, and slow moving sitar act as the perfect balm for a Vata
dosha. It’s a song that drifts like an
autumn leaf in a breeze, gently floating down to a leafy ground.
In fact, most of the songs, (dare I call them ragas?), here
have listeners gently floating into inner space, and most effectively, into the
heart center. However, watch out for bursts of passion which conclude the songs. When exceptional talented
musicians set Persian poetry to classical Indian music, we know the musical
journey can only take us to a fantastic healing place. I recommend you go there.
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