Guru Shishya Jugalbandhi

Normally in Parimal, I take the responsibility of causing headache to my friends by trying to bend a few notes :-).
But this time both my and our guru Pareshbhai and our dear Devansh did a good job on chromatic harmonica and demonstrated bending skills .
Ya, the song was beautifully played by both of them. Pl listen to it...........

Aa Laut ke aaja mere : Manhar Majithia

' Life is half spent before we know, what it is '
There are two types of people in this world. Catagory no.1 live life, by the external forces and category no.2 live their life with internal forces and enjoy every bit of it..
There are people, who have the daring to explore and experiment new things, at any age.
There can not be a better example than our Dear Manhar Majithia . I still remember his first day with a Hero brand harmonica, then chromatic, and today with a diatonic.
He is the person, who would always take up the challenges despite of his age and health related problems.
He used to play the SIONARA song in the public performances, meaning he was given the last chance.
One day I just asked him to prepare a good number and play with little more breath control. Today he is in the list of top ten !!!
We really congratulate him for his sincerity, hard work and making all the efforts to live every moment of his life

A date with Madan Kumar's pupils

Mouth organ maestro Madan Kumar wants to devote the rest of his life to teaching this wonderful musical instrument, which is fast becoming extinct, to the next generation. Ever since he closed down his recording studio about four years ago, he has been teaching young music enthusiasts. This is more out of passion and as a mission to popularize mouth organ among the young people than for monetary considerations.

I had been wanting to meet Madan Kumar's pupils for quite some time now. I met three of them at a popular pub-cum-disc in Pune recently. Pub owner Ramesh Khole, his chief chef Mushtaq Pathan and Meera Patole, three of Madan Kumar's disciples took some time off their busy schedule to meet me. Since it was a week day and that too early in the morning, there were not many guests in the pub.

Ramesh told his disc jockey to shut the music system so that we could have some quiet and peace. I was keen to record at least one number each of Madan Kumar's pupils before the lunch crowd started trooping into the pub. All three of them agreed. Here are the numbers:

Man who plays semi classical songs..Mukul Dutta

Recently I came in contact with Mukul Dutta, a hardcore harmonica player. He plays more than 80 semi classical songs. He has promised us to provide his recordings for the benefit of all the visitors of this blog.

Here is a small introduction, in his own words

Dear Mr. Bhatt,

Thanks for your reply and suggestions. Right now I don't have any CD of mine but I will try to send my photo for your site. But as you said I am giving some details of myself and my association with Harmonica.

Way back in 1962 when my father died. I was 4 years old and I had to go to Motihari (Bihar) with my mother and sister where my grand pa was working as a Mechanical Engineer in Sugar mill there. I am an emotional person and very much attracted to music of any kind from childhood. My grand pa was also a fine Violin player. May be this is the reason I started playing the toy harmonica in 1962 gifted by my grand ma.

Motihari is a very small town and our residence was surrounded by farming land and villages. I used to roam around in farm fields playing my little harmonica in free times. Time passed by and grand pa retired in 1967 and we came back to our own residence in Allahabad. In the mean time I continued playing local made harmonicas.

It was during college period in 1979 I got one Hohner chromatic harmonica (made in Germany) from a friend of mine who stayed in Kualalampur (Malesiya). At present I have one Larry Adler-16 and a Super-64 Chromonica (Hohner made) harmonicas. They are fine instruments. I have nearly 80 semi classical old hindi film songs in my play list. I practice them as well as try to play some classicals also.

I listen mostly Western classical/semi classical songs and Hindi & Bengali semi classicals. My most favourite Western singers are Barbara Striesand & Neil Diamond and Indian singers are Lata Ji ,Asha Ji & Rafi Ji.

I am going to be 53 years in the coming November 8th of this year and working in a private organisation as P.A. to Director. We are three in my family i.e. wife, one son & me. Son is a 3rd year student of Mechanical Engineer.

Madan Kumar Blesses HCG

On a personal visit to Ahmedabad, mouth organ maestro Madan Kumar took time off on the evening of July 15, 2010 to share musical moments with the members of the Harmonica Club of Gujarat. As usual, club trustee Bansi Gajjar played the host.

During the evening between 8 to past midnight, Madan Kumar regaled the members of HCG with anecdotes from his more than 50 years of rich musical experience as also played a few numbers. He was humility personified in insisting on listening to the youngest players - Devansh and Aditya and gave them some tips as to how to improve their playing.

Madan Kumar presented to the HCG half a dozen of his yet to be released audio CDs saying, "I authorize the HCG to release these under their banner."

Madan Kumar was formally inducted into the HCG as a lifetime member and patron. Bansi Gajjar pinned the badge of the HCG to Madan Kumar's lapel.

Madan Kumar and members of the HCG later had dinner at the Cama Hotel where too several members as well as the harmonica maestro played a few numbers to the pleasant surprise of other diners.

An Evening with the Maestro

Living legend mouth organ maestro Madan Kumar was formally inducted into the Harmonica Club of Gujarat as a life member and patron on July 15, with club secretary Tapan Bhatt pinning the club's badge on his lapel.

Madan Kumar has intimate relationship with Ahmedabad. His wife hails from the city. Moreover, he has fond memory associated with the release of his first HMV record linked to Ahmedabad. He was in the town when he learned about the release of his HMV record which had his photograph on the cover. So when he went to pick up the record from a store, the shop owner immediately recognized him and gifted him his own record. It was only when he showed the record to his wife that she came to know she had married an accomplished musician.

"When I appeared for my first stage show in Pune, I was trembling with stage freight. I closed my eyes as the curtain went up and started playing, thankfully shutting my mind to the fact that I was playing before a large audience of college students. The thunderous applause, after my performance, wiped out my fear and I started giving stage performances thereafter," he recalled.

Madan Kumar has a unique style of playing mouth organ. He uses a variety of techniques to embellish his rendition - vamping, tremelo, chording, tonguing, bending. "Play by your soul," he advices his students.

Madan Kumar bestowed on the Harmonica Club of Gujarat a priceless gift in the form of giving the club the right to release his audio CDs under the banner of HCG. The club would soon release the CDs, comprising some of the special numbers by Madan Kumar at a function.

Hai Apna Dil To Awara - Solva saal ( 1958 )

During my recent visit to New Delhi, I met our dear friend Mr. Ashok Bhandariji. It was a business trip and I was accompanied by my very close friend Rajendra, an NID student and a product designer by profession.

We have been talking over the phone for quite a long time, but this was the first occasion, to experience his magical playing with mesmerizing effects.

Nachiketa Desai and Ashokji shared the same room, during their college days. They used to play Harmonica in those days.

During the Harmonica Satsang ( with a chilled beer ), we actually experienced the emotions that he adds to his playing. Unfortunately none of us was carrying a camera.

During the meeting he appreciated the way Sabnaveesji plays. Surprisingly I got this unique Saaz aur Avaaz video from our senior member Sabnaveesji, which I would like to dedicate to Ashokji.

Long Live our friendship and let us keep the harmonica flag fly high...........

He graced the HCG

It was an exciting moment for me when the plane touched the ground of SVP International air port at 12 noon on the 24th of May 2010. In fact my effforts were so many before, to meet all the members of H C G but due to some reason or other it was getting postponed. But this time I was so happy to note from Tapan Bhai that HCG is releasing a set of two audio CDs exclusively on Harmonica played by its members. Out of shear excitement I offered my participation which was accepted by all the HCG members with due fondness. I made up my mind that this time I should not miss this golden opportunity of participating in a gala event.

it was Mr Ramana of HalloH also with me from hyderabad. I was very warmly received at the Ahmedabad airport by both the founders of HCG, Mr Nachita desai & Mr Tapan Bhat. Our stay was arranged in the Gujarat Vidyapeeth guest house A/C room After finishing the nice Gujarati lunch we were taken to the recording theatre. After a rehearsal two songs of me & two songs of Ramana were recorded. In the evening had the delicious Moghlai dinner hosted by Nachiketa Jee. The next day the host was Paresh Bhai. My third song was recorded. Had Panjabi meals with Paresh bhai & his son. Evening we had visited the famous Sabarmati Ashram of the father of our nation.

Now comes the real BANG & BLAST. In the evening we were taken to the residence of Mr Bansi gujjar very popularly & affectionately addressed as Bansi kaka. It was 8.30 PM of 25th may the commencement of BAITHAK . Slowly members started pouring in. At the commencement of the session the hall was the thrill of consisting all the harmonica players Nachiketa Ji, Tapan Bhai, maestro Paresh Bhatia, Dronacharya Manohar Vaidya sahab, Younis Bhai, Mr & Mrs Munir chalis hazaar with their two sons, Amaresh Bhai, Kumar Pal shah jee, the two twinkling stars ayushman Devansh & Ayushman Aditya. Finally the host was our dear Bansi kaka. Songs went on rolling one after the other to the excitement of all the people there. I found myself so free & informal as if I know each person from years even though I met them for the first time there. THIS IS THE POWER OF MUSIC WHICH BINDS US & MAKES FEEL THAT THERE IS NO CASTE, CREED OR RELIGION IN ITS WAY. Tapan Bhai was making us more thrilling by showing his bending techniques while playing the song Yaad Kiya dil ne kahaan ho tum being accompanied by Devansh & Aditya. Manohar ji was absolutely perfect in giving the interlude by his harmonica to the songs rendered by Devansh, Aditya & Paresh Bhai. Our dear Bansi kaka got totally sank in this musical atmosphere that he went on giving his whistling accompaniment to each & every song & that too with perfect timing. I was totally emotional & speechless due to the love & confidence that all the HCG members showed on me. At the end of this musical session We had to move for our dinner at 12MN.

At the dinner table it was altogether a different experience. After the food was ordered Bansi kaka has started his second session of singing being accompanied by all of us. It was again a renewed thrill & excitement. I pulled out my harmonica & played a few numbers. There was loud applause & Wah Wah. What an enjoyment it was indeed ! ! ! It took me back to my engineering college days the days of 1970 to 1974. This session was closed at 1.45 AM & we were back to our room by around 2. 15 AM. I had to part from all my HCG friends to retire for the night & get ready to catch the next morning flight.

The next morning ( 26th may ) the flight was at 10 AM. While the wheels were leaving the ground my eyes were not listening to me & I had to wipe them off several times . These rolling tears give a cool whisper in my ears , telling that I too am a member of the HARMONICA CLUB OF GUJARAT.

THE LOVE, AFFECTION & AMOUNT OF GOOD WILL I HAD RECEIVED FROM H C G IS AN INVALUABLE TREASURE FOR ME WHICH MONEY CAN NEVER BUY.

SABNAVEES

Friends we received this mail from our senior member shri Ramkrishna Sabnaveesji from Hyderabad. The mail is copied word to word without any change. It was a wonderful occassion to have him with us.

Two living legends Manohar Vaidya and Sabnaveesji met for the first time at Bansikaka's residence, where both of them shared a lot of music with everyone present.

We thank him for being part of the project and Harmonica Club of Gujarat...Thank you so much from all of us.................

Yogesh Tamta

Yogesh has been in touch with Apoorva Bhatt since quite a long time. During his visit to Ahmedabad, he visited the Harmonica Corner in Parimal Garden and played a few songs on his CX12.
He accompanied us to studio where Apoorva Bhatt was supposed to record his songs.
Yogeshji, welcome to HCG....
'sar mera chakaraye'

Apoorva Bhatt

First round of recording is coming to an end. We have recorded almost 20 songs. We will start the second round of recording very soon.
Apoorva Bhatt gave us a surprise on last Sunday by bringing Yogesh Tamta from Lucknow. Yogesh plays harmonica since his childhood. He has been in touch with Apoorva Bhatt for quite a long time, and showed his interest of meeting the members of HCG. Yogesh is basically an R & D man and has designed harmonicas with his knowledge in meteorology. He showed us his diatonic harmonica, which he had tuned to play many songs with chromatic notes. He has also prepared the documentations as to how the reeds made from different materials sound differently from each other.
He became the member of HCG there and then only............
Immediately after the Harmonica Satsang in Parimal we went to the recording studio, where Apoorva Bhatt recorded two lovely songs.
This is Just a small clip taken with mobile phone....