Recorded at Darbar Festival 2007, on 15th April at the Phoenix Theatre, Leicester.

Musicians:
- Begum Parveen Sultana (Patiala Gharana)
- Paratha Sarathi Mukherjee (Punjab Gharana)
- Chiranjib Chakraborty (Harmonium)
- Gunwant Kaur (Tanpura)

Mirabai Bhajan, Sakhi Ri Main Girdhar Ke Rang Raati

The queen of melody performs a heartfelt alaap with splendid ‘murkis’ and lighter ‘gamaks’ before she embarks on this hymn. She introduces elements of devotional fervour, preparing her listeners for this beautiful Mirabai bhajan. She has a penchant for making unexpected turns in the melodic theme of the introductory phrases, mainly before the lighter pieces, raising the bar of her audience’s expectations.

‘Sakhiri Main Giridhar Ke Rang Rati’ is a traditional devotional hymn, composed by Mirabai, one of the women seers from 14th century India. Begum Sultana begins the bhajan and expands each line with beautiful phrases in her youthful voice. She wrenches the emotions out of the song with her creative use of the bhajan’s lyrics in the melodic expansions.

Partha Sarathi Mukherjee (tabla) and Chiranjib Chakraborty (harmonium) display their dazzling musicianship with a creative, commendable and pleasing support.