Pandit Jasraj, the legendary Hindustani classical vocalist enthralled the over 1000 members of the audience gathered at the Sanders theater at Harvard University on Sunday Sept 24 2006. The event presented by Harvard Sangeet lasting over four hours was a spiritually uplifting experience for everyone present.

Panditji struck the spiritual chord right in the beginning with his statement on “Janta  Janardhan  - The Lord is amongst the audience and if you can experience a small part of the divine I will consider myself blessed” said Panditji. He opened the concert with the Rag Madhuvanti.   Endowed with a rich, soulful and sonorous voice which effortlessly traverses over all three and half octaves, Panditji was able to weave a rich tapestry of the Raga which left the audience spellbound.

Perfect diction, clarity of sur and command over all aspects of laya are other highlights of his music. He pays great attention to the choice of the composition and the words in it.  This care was highlighted in his next presentation – the Aatmashatakam where he took great care to pronounce each word perfectly.

Chidananda rupas Shivoham Shivoham
Manobudhhi ahankar Chitta ninaham
Nacha Shotra jive nacha ghrana Netre
Nacha Vyoma Bhoomir na tejo na vayu
Chidananda rupas Shivoham Shivoham -1


“This presentation of mine was a favorite with Smt M.S. Subbulakshmi who said she would come to my concert only if I sang this song” said Panditji  while recounting a special award ceremony concert where he had requested her presence.

If this presentation was not divine enough he moved one a beautiful composition by Vallabacharya where the Saint refers to Lord Krishna as the leader of thieves. The composition in Rag Piloo opened with the line Vraje Vasantam, Navaneeta Choram.
His elaboration of each of the lines was completely in line with the  lyric and one could visualize four different Krishna’s – one stealing the butter, one involved in Gopika Vastraharn and one as the stealer of Radha’s heart. The last line where the Saint offers his Pranams to the leader of the thieves was laden with Bhakti Rasa.

He then moved on to the description of the dance of Lord Shiva in Nachata Bhoonath. A tribute to the Mother followed in Rag Adana with the popular bandish Mata Kalika.  He was ready to wind down the concert at this point but the audience kept asking for more. He obliged with a very popular bhajan – Om Namoh Bhagavathe Vasudevaya.

The success of the concert was due in no small measure to the amazing support provided by his accompanists with Anuradha Pal on Tabla, Rajendra Vaishampayan on Harmonium and Sougata Banerjee providing vocal support. Anuradha Pal who Panditji referred to as his niece is the first female professional Tabla player.


Harvard Sangeet was a victim of their own excellent marketing skills and the tickets were sold out early. Unfortunately they had to turn away many a disappointed music aficionados.    It was probably difficult for anyone to imagine that a classical music concert will be sold out and hence many waited until the last minute to buy a ticket.   For those fortunate to attend it was an unforgettable experience.

Panditji was kind enough to donate all the proceeds of the concert to Harvard Sangeet to support the spread of musical education which is the goal of this organization.

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