Recorded at Darbar Festival 2007, on 11th April, at the Curve Theatre, Leicester.

Musicians:
- Harikumar Sivan (7 string violin)
- Neyveli Venkatesh (mridangam)
- RN Prakash (ghatam)

Bhajan, ‘Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram’ composed by Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar (1872-1931)

Harikumar Sivan passionately recites this popular bhajan, ‘Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram,’ with his 7-string electric violin. This soulful rendition sounds stunning not just because of the uniqueness of the instrument but also because of the manner in which he uses its features to their optimal use.

Sivan is accompanied by Neyveli Venkatesh on the mridangam and by RN Prakash on the ghatam. After playing the song, in no uncertain terms, he ventures into peppering it with contemporary, groovy projections with his bowing technique. He makes the best use of the lower octave for the harmonic blending with the song and gives a wonderful interpretation of this highly emotive and devotional song

This bhajan was put to tune by Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar and was sung by Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) and his followers during the fight for freedom against colonial rule in India. The lyrics of the bhajan are as follows:

“Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram
Patita Pawan Sita Ram,
Sitaram, Sitaram
Bhaj Pyare Tu Sitaram
Eeshwar Allah Tero Naam,
Sabko Sanmati De Bhagwaan,
Ram Raheem Kareem Samaan,
Hum Sab Hain Unki Santaan,
Sab Mila Maange Yeh Vardaan,
Hamara Rahe Manav Ka Gyan”

The English translation of the lyrics are as follows:
O Lord Rama, descendant of Raghu, Uplifter of the fallen.
You and your beloved consort Sita are to be worshipped.
All names of God refer to the same Supreme Being,
including Ishvara and the Muslim Allah.
O Lord, please give peace and brotherhood to everyone,
As we are all your children.
We all request that this eternal wisdom of humankind prevail.