Raaja Composes for Mahathma Gandhi's Bhajan

**rajasaranam** · 17th July 2008, 11:01 PM

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/17/stories/2008071753410400.htm

TIRUPATI: When Mahatma Gandhi’s last bhajan ‘O namrata ke saagar!’ saw light on Wednesday (16 July 2008), full seventy years after it was written, perhaps divine intervention saw to it that it was first heard officially in the abode of Lord Venkateswara! What else could be the explanation for the high-profile Aditya Birla group releasing the much-sought-after audio compact disc in the midst of engineering students in the temple city of Tirupati?

The fact that the music was composed by maestro Ilayaraja and the Hindustani classical exponent Pandit Bhimsen Joshi lent his voice for the thought-provoking number accords it a cult status.

The CD was released in Sree Vidyaniketan Engineering College, run by film actor and former Rajya Sabha member M. Mohan Babu on Wednesday. Bharat Parekh, the General Manager of Aditya Birla group gave away the first copy to the music wizard Ilayaraja, who in turn handed it over to Mr. Mohan Babu for use in the college.

The ‘bhajan’, which requests the Lord to bestow humility upon the humans and bless the country with prosperity, was said to have been written by the Mahatma during his stay with the Birlas. The Congress and even the Gandhi family never knew such a ‘bhajan’ existed until the Birlas stumbled upon it accidentally, three years back.

“We have given a copy even to Tushar Gandhi, the great grandson of the Mahatma,” he announced.

Ilayaraja explained how he found himself on a sticky wicket, trying to compose tune for the couplet, which was more like a soliloquy. “What turned out at the end was a mellifluous number, sung by the greatest Hindustani classical singer,” he said and sang the first two lines, amid a thunderous applause.

Athu...

REX Now you translate this and post :P http://eenadu.net/story.asp?qry1=24&reccount=26

**Google Adsense** · 17th July 2008 11:01 PM

**dochu** · 18th July 2008, 02:36 AM

Wow!!!

I wasn't aware about it until I saw the article. Was anybody aware of this before this news article?

where to get it?

d

**app_engine** · 18th July 2008, 05:26 PM

Look at the title of this article:
Lyric - Mahatma Gandhi Music - Ilaiyaraja

http://entertainment.in.msn.com/sout...mentid=1574638

**app_engine** · 19th July 2008, 01:26 AM

http://entertainment.oneindia.in/tam...an-180708.html

**nbp** · 19th July 2008, 06:17 PM

FOR MORE DETAILS AND PHOTOS...

http://www.vidyanikethan.edu/inside_2/news/Mahatma.htm

**SVN** · 20th July 2008, 11:59 PM

If Bhimsen Joshi has sung the song, how come it has not appeared in any mainstream sites (read North Indian)?
The MSN feed is also appearing in the 'South Cinema' section. Once again, poor marketing seems to go hand in hand with IR!

**kameshratnam** · 22nd July 2008, 09:39 AM

Ellam ok..where can we get the CD

**krish244** · 23rd July 2008, 11:51 AM

Looks like more artists have sung for this album. Includes Amitabh Bachan, Ajoy Chakrabarthy, Parveen Sultana, etc. The link says, the album will have a release by year end, world class (??). Does it mean, it still is undergoing additions? No idea.

Also, a line says:

"Ilayaraja has composed two other bhajans for the album which were Gandhi's favourites"

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/C...ow/3266436.cms

thanks,

Krishnan

**rajasaranam** · 23rd July 2008, 12:21 PM

Raaja excels in hindusthani tune, Still the orchestration is vintage Raaja (Which is the reason he is not getting connected with Northies IMO) Bhimsen Joshi's voice is divine in all respects. Great Song! Eagerly awaiting for the original ACD/VCD

Till then