Arc of inspiration

''Inspiration helps you to initiate '' with this thought I thought to present about incidences which as an artist influenced as well as inspired me.
Well for me being surrounded by music and carving my world in music was nothing new, 'It's like heart which loves music and mind which learns music'  because in my Family, music is bread and butter, hence it becomes easy to classify music than the rest of the World.

Being renowned amongst  Patel community of South Gujarat, my dad and grandfather performed at 'n'  number of places, hence bolloywood film music was the music I heard atmost. Hence listening to Kishore Kumar and Mohammad Rafi became part of my lifestyle. Least knowing about Music but this was the Initial Introduction to Music.
Early 90’s where I started understanding Music, the Hindi Film Music Industry was Going through a Creative Lows. There were Singers like Kumar Sanu and Udit Narayan ruling the Hindi Charts, With Private Channels and Cable Tv were taking Society by Storm there were TV Shows Produced by different Channels as Weekly Countdown. Showing the Best Song at No.1
 This era of Music according to me was Worst. The element of poetry from Lyrics was major missing, The Music Produced was Digital now. With the use of Advance Technology of Computer and Electronic Music Instruments, Songs and Films were losing in race of being musically engaging unlike older ones. As a Kid, I used to sing and Dance with those Songs but Somehow I was unable to Connect to the Music. Even In School, I was Selected for Singing group songs but that was a Different Genre of Music. As a young lad, I had no idea of Any Music though coming from a Musical Family, which I realized lately.
I started Drumming at the age of 15-16 with my Dad at his Office. The First song I played was R.D.Burman’s Dum Maro Dum, and the next one was An Evening in Paris. Still in dilemma, No Idea of What my Kind of Music or what I Relate to or what I want. I started Teaching Drum at Dads’ Office. My First Student was from My School, My Junior. Gradually I started teaching, and one of my student gifted me with a Cassette named PercJam. A recording of LIVE Performance of Legends like Taufiq Qureshi on Percussion, Niladri Kumar on Sitar, Sridhar Parthasarathy on Mridang and Bondo on Percussion as well. This Music was Something New and Actually Moved me from Within. I started Hunting for More albums of Taufiq Qureshi and I Understood what my kind of Music is. The music which my soul couldn't take me off from.
The Next Album I Purchased was Taufiq Qureshi’s RHYDHUN. Without even Knowing anything about his Style of Music, I started Imitating him. It was Fun Learning.
So the First Artist I was Influenced by was Ustad Taufiq Qureshi. And after that, I came to Know about WORLD MUSIC from him and then I started following various Artists like Trilok Gurtu, Sivamani, Billy Cobham. Luckily got a Chance to learn from Ustad Taufiq Qureshi for a short time though. Learning from Him Broadened my Vision as an Artist. As what I understood was; It's not just about Drums and Percussion that you focus or Learn, Understand MUSIC as a whole. Each and Every Music Instrument has its Own Uniqueness. You have to understand it and Keep In Mind the Same while Performing.
At every point of time your inspiration may change but the one who initiated to inspire you, motivate you helps you know your self better,  brings you closer to your talent, and adds life to your interest!
Find your inspiration and let your talent fly and explore... - Nadeem Parmar

Colors of Rajasthan..Part 2

And putting an end to your curiosity, here is all about remaining key and musical aspects of the album


Starting with song which will definitely give you goosebumps if you have spent a night in dessert. It actually creates dunes in your imagination giving you a feel of that clueless nights and loneliness amidst sand and stars. The use of Sarangi along with Strings is impeccable. And the following song is unique in its own way. What people label as a FUSION.
Again Ustad Sultan Khan Sahabs’ vocals are pretty well woven with 16 Beats Drum pattern with Guitar Riffs and Electronic piano accompanying it to auxiliary elements. This song is called Without You. Lyrics conveys grief but in a groovy style. Line of difference between sadness and darkness was taken care off,  There is a Sadness but not darkness. Thats the Magic of Taufiq Qureshi.


Now the Twist in ALBUM is the Next song, named RANTHAMBORE - The Tiger Hunts, masterpiece of Taufiq Qureshi. Ranthambore is one of the best national parks in the country for spotting a tiger. The majestic predator can be spotted ambling or basking under the sun. A jungle with Sounds has been created so well that it leaves you with an imagination of tiger going for a hunt, hidden & has keen observation over his prey. The large drum sounds are used to depicts its presence, tabla sounds for his mental preparation to attack. Tempo of the song unfolds each and every action. From slow Tempo of Flute and Strings with Warm Pads in Background to  high tempo Duff Patterns along with Brass Creates a Unique visual scene. And the Chase between the Tiger and the Prey is depicted using various instruments from Tabla, Frame Drums, Darbuka and Duff as Jugalbandi amongst each other.

 Next song is Campfire. The music is just light and easy going in its own way. Campfire is in way opportunity in  Rajasthan, where visitors and locals come together, locals perform their folk music with their group and the visitors may join in or can just enjoy the Music. Its a Jamming kind of scenario. This song is driven by Ravanhatha..with Triangle and Duff for the Groove.

The Next Song that follows is an Integral Part of the Rajasthani Culture and its Named MELA. Literally means FAIR. Where people from Different lifestyle comes at one place.The Song Starts with a very interesting Shenai kind of instrument with rhythms of Dholak and Dhol. This are the instruments actually used at Mela. The Fast tempo gives listener a few of various movements going around in mela and suddenly there is a Drop. All these hustle fades out and enters yet another mellifluous vocals by Ustad Sultan Khan Sahab. The song actually takes the listener to Tranquility. Taufiq ji has done utmost justice to the song by not adding more Instruments to it. Just a Simple Groove with Shaker a little Piano  and Bass Guitar to let Khansahabs’ voice float over. The lyrics sounds Traditional and Spiritual. The last song is A Meera Bhajan. Undoubtedly we can't forget about Meerabai specifically when it's something and everything about Rajasthan from Sand Dunes to Mela and Campfire to Ranthambore. Meera was a poetess and Devotee of Lord Krishna.
In the last song Geetikaji did the justice to the Bhajan. As if its her forte. The song is backed up by Strings, pads, Electric Piano and Morchang. Morchang again is a Traditional Instrument from Rajasthan. Its a Wind Percussion Instrument. In this Song Morchang is used for the Groove giving that Traditional Rajasthani Feel to the Bhajan.

So to sum it up, this Album is must listen forfor the ones who are interested in exploring World Music or Fusion Music. This Album will surely make you relive Rajasthan Memeories if have already visited and if Not, it will lure you to atleast visit once. Great Listen which can't be sum uped in expression of words!

Must Listen for all MUSIC LOVERS!!

keep Reading :)

Nadeem Parmar

Colors of Rajasthan

Here by I am trying to portray about Colors of Rajasthan by making an attempt to describe Ustad Taufiq Qureshi's album in sort of words.

If I could I would describe Taufiq Ji as An Ace Percussionist of India.Taufiq has learned Tabla from his Dad; Ustad Allarakha and widened his realms from Indian Classical to World Music  & He is the brother of Ustad Zakir Hussain. Moving forward about his 1st album, which was released on 1st January 1995, where he tried to capture the essence of Rajasthan through his mesmerizing music.

Whether one has been to Rajasthan or not but this album can actually make you live within the essence of Rajasthan, Indeed musical tour to Rajasthan! Its rich culture and the colorful lives of people are very well woven into this album.

Well proceeding further with the details of album; It has multiple degree compilations of ample of musical instruments and varied combinations thereof, 

Starting with the very interesting instrument named “RAVANHATHA”, made at Jaisalmer, rather especially at Jaisalmer, As the name conveys - Birth of a Warrior and a Lullaby. Lullaby is sung by a renowned singer and Taufiq’s wife -

Geetika Varde. Whose voice texture is so silvery that it may actually make you sleep. Her voice is beautifully accompanied by Acoustic Guitar and warm pads. 

Moving forward to very interesting song which is about a warrior leaving for the war, courage of a warrior is well expressed through Tabla Rela along with Folk Vocals which can actually create  a visual picture of War & listens without any doubt could feel every essential of it, moreover typical instrument named RANSINGA is used to enhance feel, followed by Geetikas Vocal again depicting the aftermath of a battle. After getting royal victory warrior is returning back & gets a grand welcome at Royal court.   The song that follows has been given a kind of commercial touch with Tabla and Classical Vocals auxiliary element was male and female chorus singing Indian classical parts. Sitar and flute plays a very interesting part in this song giving a complete virtual tour of Royal Court where the Prince is welcomed by all with great affection and respect. 

Now since the Prince is grownup and is adolescent, he has fallen in love and the song is profoundly sung by USTAD SULTAN KHAN along with his SARANGI which creates and gives the touch of Love. But as An Ace percussionist's quality Taufiq Qureshi added a piano along with the tabla pattern giving a complete feel of love and romance. Even the lyrics are traditional and uses a local Rajasthani language, which is a cherry on the cake!

A lot more to convey, it's not over yet, about absolute clueless night in dessert, 

Twist in album, Campfire song, 

An integral part of Rajasthan's culture all will be soon conveyed to you shortly in next blog update.

Let music embrace you with knowledge! -  Nadeem Parmar