Rajeshwar Singh Raju
Honestly speaking, one can only dream of composing music for free verses whereas it’s very difficult to do so in reality. However, those who are creative from core of heart not only dream but are prepared to take creative challenges and emerge victorious with sheer confidence.
Mr. Brij Mohan has been such a passionate music composer, who loves to experiment with music and startles music lovers with amazing presentations. Somewhat similar feelings were experienced by those present in large number at K L Sehgal Hall, J & K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages on Saturday 02nd May 2015 evening, when music lovers and literary persons were provided with a life time opportunity to listen to music composed for dogri poems written in free verse by well acclaimed poets from the region, a unique, memorable and historical presentation by Dogri Sanstha Jammu.
It is significant to add here that many of the reputed personalities had reservations/confusions within themselves that whether the free verses can be composed.
But ,what they witnessed was a perfect example of a passionate music composer’ s instinct to put in his heart so as to give all creative output much to the charm and surprise of music lovers.
The musical evening started with Padma Sachdeva’s famous poem ” MERE AKHRE DI UMAR INNI HOE, JE AGLE JANAM AAUN JADU DUNIYA ICH AWAN, TAAN UNE GI PADA…” Ravinder Koul recited the poem very effectively and then started the magic of music.
Vanshika Jaral, a very young girl in her teens came on the stage and everyone became curious to know how that girl will sing the poem written in free verse. But when she started singing, everyone was spell bound. Right from the very first presentation, magic had been created. The listeners felt captivated with brilliance of music as well as superb executions.
But it was just the start and the program had still four more poems in its store. After Padma Sachdeva’s poem came “MERI DEH, MERA SHAREER MITTI AE..” written by Prof. Lalit Magotra , a poem that has all the elements to shake you from within and compel to think over Life in a broader perspective. It was ably recited by Rahul Singh and was sung by Naveen Sharma, who has all the potential to touch sky with his outstanding capabilities as a prolific singer. He, seeking training from Pt. Mani Prasad of Karana Gharana at Delhi proved his worth right with first alaap that he was going to enamor the listeners with his voice. He has been pursuing Phd in classical music.
Prof. Shashi Pathania is a well known name in Dogri literature. When her poem” EH RAATI DA CHOUTHA PEHAR..” was Sung by Ms. Indu Bala, a singer who has carved a distinct position for her in the music field, it was well appreciated not only for literary values but also for singing capabilities. The beautiful poem telling about the sufferings of Radha, Rukmani and Meera was recited by Rahul Singh & Rajni Bhatti.
Naveen Sharma once gain enthralled the audience with his melodious voice, full of classical touch in a thought provoking, beautifully written poem “KUTHUN KUTHUN,KIYA KIAYA OUNDE NE DUKH” written by Ved Rahi, a writer who needs no introduction as whatever he has contributed to Dogri literature, it’s a mile stone. His poem was recited with all skill by Promila Jamwal. The impact of such a beautiful poetry clubbed with scintillating music was that the audience was not only spellbound but had turned emotional too with the contents therein.
It was followed by “KOI DUE DI THAHR NI LENDA” composed by Chhatrapal, an eminent writer who has carved a niche for himself not only as a prolific story writer but also as a media personality having written so many fiction works for Theatre, Radio and Television. It was very well written poem that was equally well conceived through music, sung by Vanshika Jaral and was able to cast an impression on all those who were present in the hall. Before musical presentation, the poem was recited by Dr. Sudhir Mahajan in his own unique style.
As far as instrumentalists are concerned, Rakesh Kumar on flute, Sanjay Pashi on Guitar, Karan Malhotra on Tabla also gave a good account of their capabilities. The main thought behind reciting poems in a simple way and then presenting same poems through music was that the listeners should realize that the poems have no rhythm as these have been written in free verse, yet these poems have been composed in appealing compositions.
It is pertinent to add here that if we cast a look at music field then it may be said that very few efforts have been made by music composers to compose music for poetry written in free verse. In a lighter vein, Chhatrapal, President Dogri Sanstha rightly said in his speech that when even a poet could not give rhythm to his thoughts and expresses it in free verse, then it will be a treat to watch a music composer expressing the same feeling through music. In response to this, while in conversation with me, Brij Mohan said, “Whatever restrictions/ difficulties a poet may impose through his inner feelings expressed in free verse if the poem will appeal to me, I will compose music for said works despite all obstacles. I enjoy the challenges. I like to compose music for those works which look impossible to be expressed through music and make it an effort to present such works in such a way that the audience should not get a feel that is it really a free verse?”
He recalls that in recent past when he had composed music for “CHUP REHIYE PRARTHANA KAR”, by Mr., Ved Rahi in free verse, his effort was appreciated by all. At that moment Mr. Ved Rahi had said that if Brij Mohan is asked to compose music for news appearing in newspapers, he will do full justice to his work with all confidence and creativity. It was really an honour for a man who believes in doing something novel which is called experimentation and is essential for taking art to new heights.
The program was anchored by well known art critic Ravinder Koul, who gave references of free verse poetry of celebrated writers from other languages also like Shakespeare, Dhumil, Ali Sardar Jafri, Madhukar, Maharaj Satoshi. It was presided over by Proff. Lalit Magotra and Guest of Honour was Mr. Vijay Singh Sambyal, Station Director, All India Radio Jammu. It was attended by prominent personalities from literary field, music field and music lovers in very good numbers.
While concluding I will like to add here that said five poems written in free verse by poets and composed by Mr. Brij Mohan were really a wonder and very rightly the program was entitled_ ‘CHAMTKAAR’. Let us hope that this ‘CHAMTKAAR’ will become a regular feature by Dogri Sanstha and other cultural organizations will also come ahead thus providing platforms to music composers if they have the potential to think differently, try differently, and present differently.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
