Rasoolan Bai

braindrain · Post by **braindrain** » 28 Aug 2009, 09:02

Haven't seen any discussion about Rasoolan Bai here..

There is a documentary film screening this weekend in Bangalore on Rasoolan Bai .."The Other Song"

knandago2001 · Post by **knandago2001** » 28 Aug 2009, 13:45

Thanks for the info - hope you will give us an update!!

A legend in her lifetime, Rasoolan Bai was an illustrious representative of the Poorab ang of Thumri singers. She was a contemporary of Badi Moti Bai and Siddheshwari Devi. A sampling of her art is available here
http://calcuttaglobalchat.net/calcuttab ... thumriyan/
http://www.experiencefestival.com/forum ... R21tvhJOso
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3ZcJzPaNG8

knandago2001 · Post by **knandago2001** » 28 Aug 2009, 16:30

A Brief biography:

Rasoolan Bai was born in Kachhawa Baazar, Uttar Pradesh, in 1902. She belonged to a very poor family but inherited music from her mother Adalat. At the age of five, she showed keen interest in music that was recognized by her family. She learnt music from Ustad Shambhy Khan, Ashia Kahn and Ustad Maju Khan. In addition to thumri, at which she excelled, Rasoolan Bai was also an accomplished singer of Tappa and Dadra. Her first musical performance was held at the Dhananjaygarh court followed by many performances in the courtsand homes of affluent patrons. She used to broadcast on the Radio till 1972 and passed away on December 15, 1974.

"

knandago2001 · Post by **knandago2001** » 29 Aug 2009, 20:07

"They are all devis - I am the last bai left.."

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 30 Aug 2009, 08:46

Jayan,
Thanks for starting this topic.

Nandagopal,
Thank you. Heard them all. As appealing as all their singing is, Begam Akthar stands out.
Really, life was a struggle for most of them. The way the angels (rasools) were treated!

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 30 Aug 2009, 08:48

Well, messengers (rasUls) of music too.
Do I miss the edit facility!

knandago2001 · Post by **knandago2001** » 30 Aug 2009, 10:16

thanks arasi - here is a sampling of kajris sung by the divas

Tarsat jiyara hamaar by Rasoolan Bai
Koyaliya mat kar pukaar by Begum Akhtar
http://indianraga.wordpress.com/tag/kajri/

knandago2001 · Post by **knandago2001** » 30 Aug 2009, 15:42

"The relevant question is: why did a mob burn down the house of Rasoolan Bai in Ahmedabad in 1969? There was no Godhra then for an excuse. So what could be the provocation for anyone to drive out an extremely gifted and popular Muslim singer from her adopted home in Gujarat? After her trauma, Naina Devi, herself a Hindu princess and a much beloved patron saint of music and musicians, nursed Rasoolan Bai to health, but she never sang again.

All the rioters and their neighbours can still hear Rasoolan's thumri in Raag Bhairavi on the web. Would you believe what the words are? "Kaanha, visbhari basiya sunaai gaile na" (O Krishna, please do not torment me any more with your mesmeric flute).

"Ab naa baajaao Shyaam/ bansuriyaa naa baajaao Shyaam/ (e rii) vyaakul bhaayii brajabaalaa/ bansuriyaa naa baajaao Shyaam/ nit merii galiin men aayo naa/ aayo to chhup ke rahiyo/ bansii kii terii sunaaiyo naa" (Play your flute not Shyaam/ It perplexes my little heart/ Play not your flute Shyaam/ Nor come round my street/ Come not, keep it down/ Play not your flute Shyaam)."

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 30 Aug 2009, 19:02

Edit facility is available now arasi according to admn.

knandago2001 · Post by **knandago2001** » 31 Aug 2009, 14:23

Rasoolan Bai won the Central Sangeet Natak Academy Award in 1957, the second woman to be so honored after Smt. Kesarbai Kerkar.

"Dance in Thumri"

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 01 Sep 2009, 08:20

Thanks again, Nandagopal.
Rasoolan's siging grabs me. Both kajri and birha sound like yaman to me.

braindrain · Post by **braindrain** » 11 Sep 2009, 10:23

Hindu Metroplus article , published today..

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/09/11/stor ... 210300.htm