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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 new two CD album by Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt is a live recording of the Saptak Concert held in 2002. The first CD has alaap and composition in Raag Bageshri, while the second CD has three light compositions. A very popular concert artist, Pt. Bhatt, represents the Ravi Shankar stream of Maihar Gharana. He plays the Mohan Veena, his own adaptation of the slide guitar. Pt Bhatt shot into fame when he received the Grammy for his collaboration with American guitarist, Ry Cooder, in Meeting By The River. Salil Bhatt is the young son and disciple of Pt Bhatt. The young tabla accompanist is Sandeep Das, a disciple of the Benaras maestro Pt Kishan Maharaj.

The first CD starts with a long alaap in Raaga Bageshri ( Article on Bageshri), a popular mid-night raaga which evokes Shrinagara rasa (romantic mood). The exploration of the raaga is slow, light hearted and pleasing. Salil Bhatt is more than just for background support and ably supports his father. The short jhor, a somewhat rhythmic exploration of the raaga and then jhala are spared major fireworks and are actually pleasing to listen as well. The first composition in slow teen taal starts being meditative, almost pensive. The mood improves towards the later half of the track as the tempo quickens. The second composition and the last track of the CD gives ample scope for showcasing the technical brilliance of all the artists. Salil Bhatt matches the Pt. Bhatt almost phrase for phrase, although it sounds a little laboured. Unfortunately, around 10:40 into the track, Pt Bhatt tries to act as his own echo machine, difficult to make out what the point really is. Probably, once in a while, all popular artists feel like playing to the gallery.

The second CD starts with a Lori based on raag Tilak Kamod in Deepchandi Taal, a neat little light piece followed by a popular Rajasthani folk tune in Raaga Mand. The composition is soulful and a moving light classical piece, handled deftly by Pt Bhatt. The last track is a Bhairavi dadra. Bhairavi is ofcourse one of the most well known raagas and usually played at the end of a concert. Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt starts with a well woven alaap which lasts about half the track. The primary mood of Bhairavi is Devotion (Bhakthi Bhava) and is well emoted by Pt. Bhatt. Thoughout the CD, the accompaniment of Sandeep Das is competent with warm house sounds of the Benaras gharana.

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

CD Information

Tracks

Nu.	Title	Time	Music
1.1	Alaap in Raaga Bageshri	22:08
1.2	Jod & Jhalla in Raaga Bageshri	10:57
1.3	Gat in Raaga Bageshri, Vilambit TeenTaal	16:34
1.4	Gat in Raaga Bageshri, Madhya and Dhruth TeenTaal	22:39
2.1	Lori in Raaga Tilak Kamod, Deepchandi Taala	6:53
2.2	Rajasthani Folk tune in Raaga Mand, Dadra Taala	6:02
2.3	Dadra in Raaga Bhairavi, Dadra Taala	15:57

Liner Notes

Good liner notes with profiles of the artists and explanation of the music.