I learned of the piece “Bhajanā – I am Thy Servant” from the Smithsonian Folkways record Religious Music of India. The performer is Swami D. R. Parvatikar. When listening to this performance, one can easily perceive that a vocalist and a stringed instrument, likely the vina (comparable to the sitar) are sharing the melody in a fashion almost evocative of call and response. The vocalist will perform, followed by an interlude during which the vina produces a melody in a similar style to the vocalist. A chord, seemingly produced by a stringed instrument, repeats throughout the piece. A santoor could perhaps produce this “string-plucked” sound, although I am uncertain if this instrument is being employed. A cymbal-like instrument, likely the karatali, maintains a steady beat. However, there are also periods where the karatali does not play which succeeds in creating space for the clear voice of the vina. Additionally, a “drone” sound characteristic of the tambura can be heard, while tablas maintain a relatively consistent rhythm. However, greater intrigue is created through rhythmic embellishments performed on tablas. I selected this piece because I was interested in gaining insight into what a bhajan sounds like in Hindu tradition. Our text characterizes bhajans as devotional songs that tend to be favored over Indian classical music by Hindu laypeople. I also found the manner in which the vocalist “slides” between sung notes in a minor-reminiscent key to have an almost entrancing effect that I believed our class would appreciate as much as I did.

Link to Youtube Video: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOculpLOCpo

Sources: 

“Religious Music of India.” Smithsonian Institution. https://folkways.si.edu/religious-music-of-india/sacred-world/album/smithsonian.