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The Misra brothers perform Vedic chant

Lucy Duran and Viram Jasani's travels start at one of the most holy places on the River Ganges, Varanasi, where they meet up with classical singers The Misra Brothers to discover Vedic chant.

Lucy Duran and Viram Jasani's travels start at one of the most holy places on the River Ganges, Varanasi, where they meet up with world-famous classical singers The Misra Brothers who introduce them to the ancient and rarely recorded origina of Indian music, Vedic chant.

From the banks of the Ganges, they travel to Agra - home of the Taj Mahal - and then on to Delhi. From the middle of this vast and over-populated metropolis they hear the master of one of India's most beautiful musical instruments, the shehnai.

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1 hour

Last on

Sat 15 Feb 2003 13:00

Music and featured items

  • The River Ganges

    Lucy observes ritual bathing, praying and funeral pyres.

    Duration: 09:28

  • Music Played

    • Abhijit Banerjee & Ronu Majumdar

      Rag Jainjhoti

      Composer: Trad

    • The Mishra Brothers

      In Jhaptal

      Composer: Rajan Mishra

      • ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Recording.
  • Mishra Brothers

    The Mishra Brothers explain the ancient style of the music they perform.

    Duration: 08:24

  • Music Played

    • The Mishra Brothers

      In Tintal

      Composer: Trad

      • ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Recording.
  • Verdic chants

    Viram describes the ritual with 10 to 12 priests performing the Verdic chants.

    Duration: 06:46

  • Music Played

    • Unknown Hindu priests

      Vedic Chant

      Composer: Trad (Hindu ceremony)

      • ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Recording.
    • Unknown Hindu priests

      Vedic Chant

      Composer: Trad (Hindu ceremony)

      • ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Recording.
  • The Sitar and the Voice

    Viram talks about his instruments - the Sitar and the voice.

    Duration: 05:39

  • Music Played

    • Viram Jasani

      Kamod

      Composer: Trad

      • ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Recording.
  • Taj Mahal and the Indian Rag

    The Taj Mahal and how it has inspired musicians.

    Duration: 06:11

  • Music Played

    • Trad

      Extracts from A night at the Taj

      • A night at the Taj.
  • Delhi and Musical styles

    Viram explains how Delhi is home to some of the oldest Indian musical styles.

    Duration: 07:54

  • Music Played

    • SatishPrakash Qumar and Gladwin Charles

      Rag Hansdhwani (Swan song)

      Composer: Trad

      • ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Recording.
  • Shehnai

    Lucy and Viram hear the music of the Shehnai – the Indian oboe.

    Duration: 09:44

  • Music Played

    • SatishPrakash Qumar and Gladwin Charles

      Rag Bhairavi

      Composer: Trad

      • ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Recording.
  • Lucy reflects on music in India

    Lucy reflects on the music she has heard during her first time in India.

    Duration: 02:11

  • Music Played

    • Sakoor Khan Langa

      Dhun Thental

      Composer: Trad

      • ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Recording.

Broadcast

  • Sat 15 Feb 2003 13:00

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