UK-based duo open the 2008 Darbar Festival with the morning and evocative Raag Jaunpuri. The youthful musicians display a maturity on stage which is far beyond their age. Jasani first learned tabla in the Benares gharana style before switching to sarod under Dhrupad master Pandit Krishnamurti Sridhar. After completing a degree in Indian Music at SOAS and studying Western classical he moved to Indian to study under legendary maestro Pandit Buddhadev Dasgupta, and today performs and teaches. He also writes music and scripts for theatre, and is always pushing to further his sound and bring the ornate slides and glides of his instrument to new ears.

Raga Jaunpuri is a late morning raga. It is based on Asavari thaat. As is the mystery of Hindustani Classical music, the same notes can be shared by two ragas but they may sound very different. Raga Jaunpuri, Darbari Kanada, Adana and Jaunpuri share the same notes but are entirely different in the way they are performed. A quick look at the Raga Samay will tell you that while Raga Darbari Kanada and Adana are ragas that are sung past midnight, while the notes of Jaunpuri sound the sweetest before noon. Jaunpuri is soft and pleasing and has simple nuances and avoids elaborate ornamentations (meends) while being performed. It is a morning melody. Darbari Kanada is a majestic night melody, of sombre and serious mood and with restrained emotions. Raga Adana is somewhat restless – the artiste does not stay on one note long.

Tarun Jasani (sarod)
Gurdain Rayatt (tabla)
Raag Jaunpuri