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Review

Apart from rigorous classical music, Pt Bhimsen Joshi is a master at the art of Bhakthi Sangeeth (devotional songs), sometimes called semi-classical music. He originally hails from North Karnataka but he has Settled in Pune, Maharashtra. For a long time he has been singing devotional songs in Marathi. But it was only in 80's that he recorded an album of Kannada devotional songs. They became very popular .... introducing hindustani music to many southerners and Kannada devotional songs to others. The original Daasvani album was reissued in CD format in 1996 by RPG/EMI and later in 1998, older recordings were collected and issued as what one could call Dasavani II under the name Enna Paaliso by a newer label, Sagar.

The bhakthi movement in Karnataka reached its peak in 15th century, normally referred to as the golden period of Kannada culture with Hampi as the center under the patronage of Krishnadevaraya. Many poet saints with huge lirarary outputs abound during this time. They are called HariDasa - literally devotee of Vishnu or commonly as Dasa (or Dasaru which is the plural form). Sri Purandara Dasa, the father of Carnatic classical form, is the most prominent of them. The songs are called DasaPada (literally Word of the devotee). The songs have been used in Carnatic classical far a long time.

Dasavani starts with a song very common Carnatic music, Bhagyada Lakshmi Baaramma. This song by Pt Joshi became so famous that it was re-recorded for a movie too. Now Joshi's rendition is so ingrained in my mind that it not only completely replaced the many renditions of it by Carnatic stalwarts, they now sound odd ! The next track Tungateeradi Ninta Suyativara Nyare, by Sant Abhinava Janardandas was an unknown song to most of us before Joshi sang it. What makes this song worth listening is the emotional impact Joshi brings to it.

I normally don't like it when Pt Joshi hits higher notes. So it is not surprising that the third track, Kailasavaasa Gaurisha Isha is the one song I don't like in this CD. He sings it in the higher octave most of the time making me normally skip it. The next two tracks are the likeable Karuniso Ranga and Yake Mukanadyo Guruve Nee. All three songs were again unknown to most of us since they are not commonly used in Carnatic concerts.

The last track on the first CD is the popular Yadava Nee Baa, which is used in carnatic concerts. But again Pt Joshi brings in so much emotional content to it to make it memorable.

Overall 4.5 stars for the music and 3.0 stars for the recording. Highly Recommended.

The second CD Enna Paaliso, named after one of the popular tracks, figures songs recorded in various decades, if one were to go by the quality of recordings and the voice of Pt Joshi. Unfortunately the general quality of recording / mastering is worse than the first CD, with much hissing and many screaches.

It starts of with Thappu Nodade Bandeya, a song I've never heardsung before. Not surprising, since it is probably a difficult song to sing. Pt Joshi though, sings it with usual aplomb, with pleasing if not spectacular results. The same can be said about the next track Yelemana Murariyane.

The third track Neenyako Ninna Hangyako, Ninna Nama Ondhidhare Saako, though, is a popular song By Sri Purandara Dasa. Rendered competently by St Joshi, falls a little short of expectations given the great lyrics of the poem. The next track, the longest in the CD, Karunaakara Nee again by Sri Purandara Dasa, has been rendered well by Pt Joshi, though again mostly in higher octave, making me want to skip sometimes. The fifth track Indu Enage Shri Govinda by Shri Guru Raghavendra is a well known song. Not surprising considering it is the only well known song by the much revered saint, who is worshipped in a lot of temples through out Karnataka. The way Pt Joshi starts the song, he might as well have been singing Carnatic ! A later recording in stereo, with good pitch range and Pt Joshi hitting very high notes once in a while, is very well rendered. Some of the sweet lower notes, variations and emoting make this an thoroughly enjoyable piece.

Sadaa Enna Hrudayadalli the next track is a favourite of mine. This sounds very much like vintage Joshi, with great voice, variations and immaculate rendition. Decent stereo recording contributes to the song. This track by itself makes this CD worthwhile. The next rack is Mooruthiyane Nilliso, a relatively unknown Puradara krithi.

The title song Enna Paaliso Karunaakara, a well known krithi, is placed as the last track. This is almost Vintage Joshi, though not as good as Sadaa Enna Hrudayadalli. Makes me wonder why this CD was not titled Sadaa Enna Hrudayadalli !

Overall 4.0 stars for the music and 2.5 stars for the recording. Recommended.

CD Information

1. Daasvani

Tracks

Nu.	Krithi	Poet	Time	Music	Recording
1	Bhagyada Lakshmi Baaramma	Shree Purandara Dasa	06:36
2	Tungateeradi Ninta Suyativara Nyare	Sant Abhinava Janardandas	04:07
3	Kailasavaasa Gaurisha Isha	Sant Vijaya dasa	07:04
4	Karuniso Ranga	Shree Purandara Dasa	06:05
5	Yake Mukanadyo Guruve Nee	Santa Jagannatha Dasa	05:46
6	Yadava Nee Baa	Shree Purandara Dasa	06:05

2. Enna Paaliso

Tracks

Nu.	Krithi	Poet	Time	Music	Recording
1	Thappu Nodade Bandeya	Prasanna Venkata Daasaru	06:20
2	Yelemana Murariyane Kondado	Sant Vijaya Dasaru	06:22
3	Neenyako Ninna Hangyako	Shree Purandara Dasa	06:27
4	Karunaakara Nee	Shree Purandara Dasa	10:06
5	Indu Enage Shri Govinda	Shri Guru Raghavendra	08:25
6	Sadaa Enna Hrudayadalli	Shri Vijaya Daasary	09:46
7	Mooruthiyane Nilliso	Shree Purandara Dasa	05:48
8	Enna Paaliso Karunaakara	Shri Mahipathi Daasaru	06:02

Liner Notes

Unfortunately as is the norm with most Indian albums, there are no liner notes. The cover has the list of tracks and the corresponding poets. There isn't even a single sentence about the artist or the music. Sad.