While listening to some old live recordings of Bhimsen Joshi (Sidhi series), I came across Eknath Thakurdas - one of the greatest harmonium players ever. He is sheer genius. He was probably the only accompanying artiste who could challenge Bhimsen. I could not find any of his performances after the mid seventies - so I presume he passed away sometime in the early seventies.
Listening to Eknath play the harmonium gives me goose bumps. While there is an entirely new generation of harmonium players now, they cannot be compared to this genius.
I tried to find more about this great person - but alas there is nothing about him on the net. Finally after a lot of search I managed to get a video grab of how he looked like. The picture is a bit grainy - but the face shows a lot of character.
Here is a short clip of Eknath Thakurdas at his best - he is accompanying Bhimsen performing Raag Durga sometime during the mix-sixties. The clip is just 2 minutes long - but it shows the genius.
You will also notice the very different and distinct timbre (tonal quality) made by his harmonium. I wonder what happened to his harmonium after he passed away. Which lucky person got this instrument that has been blessed by this maestro? I don't think any of the current crop of harmonium players got it. I have listened now to Eknath Thakurdas so much that I would recognise his harmonium anytime anywhere due to its very distinct sound.
How I wish that I had the luck to have seen him perform.
Listening to Eknath play the harmonium gives me goose bumps. While there is an entirely new generation of harmonium players now, they cannot be compared to this genius.I tried to find more about this great person - but alas there is nothing about him on the net. Finally after a lot of search I managed to get a video grab of how he looked like. The picture is a bit grainy - but the face shows a lot of character.
Here is a short clip of Eknath Thakurdas at his best - he is accompanying Bhimsen performing Raag Durga sometime during the mix-sixties. The clip is just 2 minutes long - but it shows the genius.
You will also notice the very different and distinct timbre (tonal quality) made by his harmonium. I wonder what happened to his harmonium after he passed away. Which lucky person got this instrument that has been blessed by this maestro? I don't think any of the current crop of harmonium players got it. I have listened now to Eknath Thakurdas so much that I would recognise his harmonium anytime anywhere due to its very distinct sound.
How I wish that I had the luck to have seen him perform.
10 comments:
My God, what a treat !.Thank you so much for the link and uploading and sharing it.
Both Bhimsenji and Eknathji are so very clear about the flow and the swaras and are so sure and thorough and fluent with it. I said to myself, Wow !, this is what I was looking for.
Listened to it twice and still couldn't stop. Want to get hold of this Siddhi series of the year 1966. By the way Bhimsenji's voice is so clear and sober unlike what I have generally heard from him. Great upload. Great upload. Thank you once more.
Yes, the Sidhi series is a limited edition that is rarely available (produced by Magnasound classicals). However if you want to listen to some old classical songs where Eknathji has played, then go to the following web site and explore : http://beta.musicindiaonline.com/album/24-Classical_Hindustani_Vocal/4581-The_Versatile_Bhimsen_Joshi_Vol_2/#/album/24-Classical_Hindustani_Vocal/4581-The_Versatile_Bhimsen_Joshi_Vol_2/
Got t. I have bookmarked it. Thank you.
And let give you the addresses of two good sites on music they are :
http://www.surgyan.com
http://www.swarganga.org
Enjoy.
apparently pt. bhimsen joshi asked for and kept eknathji's harmonium when the latter passed away
Thanks Charu for the information. Now that Bhimsen is also no more, wonder what will happen to the harmonium. Hope it gets used by someone.
Ramanna have u seen this page?
http://ussf.in/Lineage_Eknathbuva.html
Thanks Praveen - yes, a very good article on Eknathbua - thanks for the link
Eknath Thakurdas was a regular accompanist for Anna during his early years. A more extensive clip can be taken from Anna's recording of Puriya-Dhanashri from mid-50s Harvallabh Mahotsav. Like you, I am also highly disappointed with lack of information on this great harmonium-maestro. Although I have met a few veterans who have seen him with Anna, none of them have a photograph or any other memorabilia. I think the best bet is Pt. Nana Mulay who was Anna's pet tabla-accompanist - he will definitely have something more on Eknath-ji. Will try & share if I get something...
Thanks Pundalikji - look forward to any recordings or material about Thakurdasji - I am a big fan of his. Thanks very much for your efforts.
Post a Comment