'Nirbhay Nirgun Gun Re' sings Pt. Kumar Gandharva

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Description

Embodying the spirit of fearless singing, this Kumar Gandharva composition evokes the subtle play of sagun and nirgun, form and formless. Invoking yogic principles of breath, channels, and the five senses, this song turns the human body into a musical instrument full of vibrations. But can we listen to that unstruck sound - the anhad naad? That's Kabir's challenge!

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Find lyrics/translation of this song at: http://ajabshahar.com/songs/details/190/Nirbhay-Nirgun-Gun-Re&title=Nirbhay-Nirgun-Gun-Re
Discover a universe of Bhakti, Sufi, Baul poetry and music at http://www.ajabshahar.org.
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The late Pandit Kumar Gandharva (8 April 1924 – 12 January 1992) was a legendary Hindustani classical vocalist. At a time when musicians prided themselves on their conformity to the strict style of their 'gharanas', Kumar Gandharva chose to forge a distinctly individual path. In later years he became widely famous for his powerful compositions and renditions of Bhakti poets, especially Kabir.

Kumar Gandharva was a child prodigy whose rise to fame happened at an exponential pace. At the peak of his career however, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and the doctors asked him never to sing again. It was while resting his voice and recuperating in the countryside of Dewas, Madhya Pradesh that Kumarji was struck by the music of itinerant folk singers and songs of Bhakti. In his journey, he collected around 300 folk songs and upon his return to the stage of Hindustani music, he began interpreting these songs in classical notations and ragas. Classical music was never the same after Kumar Gandharva.

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Song Credits:
Vocals: Pt. Kumar Gandharva
Tanpura: Vasundhara Komkali, Madhup Mudgal
Tabla: Suresh Achrekar
Harmonium: Govind Rao Patwardhan

Translation: Linda Hess
Subtitling: Prashant Parvataneni
Collection: Doordarshan Archives