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Review

Sense World Music is a new addition to the growing number of labels dedicated to Indian classical music. Started in 2002 Sense World is based in UK, with a studio in Gujarat. Many of the albums are live concert recordings of the Saptak Music Festival held every year in Ahmedabad, Gujarat every year in winter.

This CD by Kala Ramnath presents recording done on the sidelines of Saptak Music Festival, 2003. One of the most promising violin players of today, Kala Ramnath, plays Hindustani music in the Gaayaki style. She belongs to a family of Carnatic violinists, but has trained under Pt. Jasraj and accompanies him, the experience is making her a very good violinist of the gayaki ang (i.e. vocalist like). Tabla is by Subhankar Banerjee of Farukhabad Gharana.

The first three tracks of the cd feature Raag Jogkauns (See Parrikar on JogKauns), a delightful new raaga created by Jagannathbuwa Purohit "Gunidas" in 1940's. Kala starts with an alaap and plays a composition in Vilambit EkTaal. Presentation in slow and deliberate. The next track in Madhyalaya Ada ChauTaal picks up pace as one would expect. It is a pleasant composition which Kala Ramnath handles with precision and vigour. The third track is a tarana in drut EkTaal. It has shades of populism, though on the whole Kala handles the tarana competently.

The fourth and fifith tracks feature Raag Bhatiyar, an old morning raaga. Kala handles the complex raaga comfortably and the haunting appeal of the raaga is evident. Subhankar Banerjee's tabla is excellent through out the cd and they seem to combine quite well.

In the end, this CD is a worthwhile addition to your Hindustani violin solo collection. Overall 4.0 stars for the music and 4.0 stars for the recording. Recommended.

CD Information

Tracks

Nu.	Title	Taal	Time	Rating
1	Jog Kauns	Vilambit EkTaal	28:28
2	Jog Kauns	Madhyalay ChauTaal	10:34
3	Jog Kauns - taraana	Drut EkTaal	6:15
4	Bhatiyar	Madhyalay TeenTaal	5:15
5	Bhatiyar	Drut EkTaal	5:08

Liner Notes

Good liner notes with profiles of the artists and music. The cover art is excellent as is the case with most Sense World Music productions.