On the occasion of Pt. Satyasheel Deshpande's 70th birthday, we bring to you the first in a series of events: renditions of Satyasheelji's unique compositions by his disciples and admirers.

राग धानी

कन कन सुर ताल लिय, चुन चुन रूप गुन बहू, लेत पहिचान ।

जानूँ न जानूँ, पर भेद कछु जानूँ | सबद की लागी है, धुन धरत राग रूप, लेत सुर जान ।।

Satyasheelji is a master of off-beat laykari and his fondness for syncopation often finds its way into his bandishes. He uses it here to create an alternative chhand or swing of Ektal by de-emphasizing the sam. In his own words, this bandish is on the borderlines between Dhani and Bhimpalasi and its text speaks of a lifetime spent in gathering, understanding, and loving music. Srijan Deshpande attempts it here, accompanied by Bharavi Deraje on Tabla. Sound by Swaroop Sardeshmukh.

Watch the entire series here: