Colours of Rajasthan (Audio CD)

Rajasthan a land of myth and legend, palaces and forts, colour and romance, where the harshness of the desert and the valour of battle are a counterpoint to the joy of fairs, festivals and royal celebrations. This his been the ispiration for my music, in which want to capture the rugged beauty of the land and its people in idioms both traditional and contemporary.

In my interpretation, I have sought those moments of pride and passion that we associate with Rajasthan and the chivalrous Rajputs who are amongst its sons. The birth of a child, a mother’s lullaby; are the celebration of life itself. But valour and honour are woven into the history of the land, echoed in the voice of the bard sitting atop the fort as the army rides nout to do battle. And as the victors return, it is to the waiting women and the splendour of the Rajdarbar, the royal court.

'Dunes night' evokes the experience of the desert bathed in moonlight as the wind gently shifts the sands, a feeling of longing and romance. The ambience of the forest at Ranthambor is suggested by the soft, haunting melody of the flute, soon broken by the sound of the predatory tiger on the prowl. Heavy percussions beat out the rhythms of the chase.

When you think of Rajasthan, you think, too of the story of the star-crossed lovers, Dhola and Maru, here captured in the soulful melody of the'Campfire' of the nomads. And can we imagine Rajasthan without its great fairs, such as the Pushkar Camel Fair, alive with vibrant colour and pulsating rhythms but through it, the lonely voice of the mystic singer emerges, a reflective counterpoint to activity and crowds. Finally, Meera, whose passionate devotion to her God have made her a household name not only in Rajasthan, but throughout India.

This rich canvas has been evoked in a variety of music and sound, ranging from folk songs to orchestral compositions, from traditional instruments to electronic keyboards.