Pandit Jasraj, a legendary figure in the field of Indian classical music, graced the world with his divine voice and unparalleled artistry. Known for his melodious voice, innovative compositions, and unparalleled mastery over complicated ragas, he made him one of the most influential and beloved musicians of all time.
Early Life and Traning
Born on January 28, 1930, in Pili Mandori village in the then Hisar district and now in Fatehabad, Haryana, into a musical family. He belonged to the Mewati Gharana, a lineage known for its devotion to Indian classical music. His father, Pandit Motiram was a great classical singer. Pandit Motiram appointed as the court musician of Nizam Mir Usman Ali Khan. But unfortunately died before the official ceremony in 1934. His older brothers Pandit Maniram and Pandit Pratap Narayan (the father of famous musicians Jatin-Lalit, Sulakshna, and Vijeyta Pandit) were also accomplished musicians. Jasraj’s initial training came under his brother’s.
Initially trained as a tabla player by his brother Pandit Pratap Narayan, Jasraj decided to focus solely on vocal music by the age of 14. He credits Begum Akhtar with inspiring him to take up classical music. Jasraj initially trained with Pandit Maniram and later with Jaiwant Singh Waghela, a vocalist, and Beenkar. He spent his youth in Hyderabad. But he often travelled to Sanand in Gujarat to study music with musicians of the Mewati Gharana.
Breakthrough
In 1946, Jasraj moved to Calcutta, where he began performing classical music on All India Radio. In 1952, when he was 22, he performed his first stage concert as a vocalist in the court of King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah of Nepal in Kathmandu. Over the years, Jasraj’s career spanned 75 years, resulting in national and international fame, respect, and numerous major awards and accolades.
Hailing from the Mewati Gharana, Pandit Jasraj’s vocal prowess and emotive renditions earned him acclaim globally. Mewati gharana, traditionally known for its performances of Khayal, mixed other lighter elements in Khayal and also elements of other gharanas, starting a new “Chalan,” for which he was criticised by a lot of purists but with time accepted and hailed as revolutionary.
Pandit Jasraj’s first album released in 1966 with the name “Pandit Jasraj (1966).” He followed it with works like Raga Pooriya / Raga Adana / Raga Shuda-Nat (1969), Bilaskhani Todi / Gorakh Kalyan (1971), Musical Homage to a Guru (1974), Pandit Maniram Ji, Pandit Pratap Narayan Ji, Pandit Jasraj – Three Illustrious Brothers (1976), Nat Narayan, Khamaj Bahar, Nagad-dhwani Kanhra (1977), Pandit Jasraj Sings Ragas Sudh-Sarang & Bhimpalasi (1979), and Soor Padavali – Nitya Kram (1979).
Famous Works
Pandit Jasraj was known for his innovations in classical music. He even created new ragas like “Abiri Todi” and “Patdeepki.” He introduced a unique form of jugalbandi called ‘Jasrangi,’ which involves a male and female singer performing different ragas simultaneously.
Jasraj was a great devotee of Lord Krishna and Hanuman. Many of his compositions were bhajans dedicated to Krishna, including the popular ‘Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya.’.
Some of his notable albums include The Inimitable Pandit Jasraj (Echoes of Temple Music) (1989), Morning to Midnight Ragas (1990), Bhaktimala- Krishna, Volume 2 (1991), Maestro’s Choice (1994), Husaini Kanra, Bhajan (1995), Mewati Gharana (1997), Vrindavan (1997):, Anuraag (1999), Naiya Lagaa De Mori Paar (1999), Sampooranam Shivamahimnah Stotram (2000), Shiv Shambho (2001), The Meditative Music of Pandit Jasraj (2003), Baiju Bawra (2007), Gayatri Mantra (2008), Miyan Tansen as Interpreted by Pandit Jasraj (2009), Triveni (2010), and Remembering Tansen (2012).
Pandit Jasraj In Films
Pt. Jasraj also contributed significantly to popularising innovations in semi-classical musical styles. He had also sung classical and semi-classical compositions for film soundtracks. One such composition is ‘Vandana Karo,’ in Ladki Sahyadri Ki (1966). It is composed in the raga Ahir Bhairav by the composer Vasant Desai. Pt. Jasraj sang a duet with vocalist Bhimsen Joshi for the soundtrack of the film Birbal My Brother (1975).
In 2004, he sang “Neend Na Aaye” in Ek Hasina Thi (2004) composed by Amar Mohile. He also sang thea ballad, Vaada Tumse Hai Vaada, for horror film 1920 (2008), directed by Vikram Bhatt. He lent his voice to a song for Oscar winner Life of Pi (2012).
Awards and Accolades
In his long and illustrious career he was bestowed with numerous awards and honours. These awards includs the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1987), and Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (2010), among others. He also gets Padma Bhushan in 2000.
In 2019, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) named a minor planet after Pandit Jasraj, making him the first Indian musician to receive this honour. The minor planet, 2006 VP32 (number 300128), was named ‘Panditjasraj.’
He was also the founder of schools for Indian classical music in Atlanta, Tampa, Vancouver, Toronto, New York, New Jersey, Pittsburgh, Mumbai, and Kerala. Some of his famous disciples are Saptarshi Chakraborty, Sanjeev Abhyankar, violinist Kala Ramnath, Sandeep Ranade, Anuradha Paudwal, Sadhana Sargam, and Ramesh Narayan.
Pandit Jasraj’s unique style, marked by the amalgamation of classical and devotional elements, enchanted the music lovers for over 7 decades. His concerts were known for their transcendental experiences.
Personal Life
In 1962, Pt. Jasraj married Madhura Shantaram, daughter of legendary filmmaker V. Shantaram. They had two children, a son, musician Shaarang Dev Pandit, and a daughter, actress Durga Jasraj.
Pandit Jasraj died at his home in New Jersey on 17 August 2020 due to cardiac arrest. His body was later repatriated on an Air India flight to Mumbai. Pt. Jasraj was cremated with state honours and a 21-gun salute at Pawan Hans Crematorium in Vile Parle.
As we cherish the timeless melodies he gifted us, Pandit Jasraj remains an eternal maestro, his music echoing through the corridors of our cultural heritage.
Pandit Jasraj on IMDB
