Sangeet Samrat Bade Ramdas
ji of Banaras
Trend setter, 19 th
century Vageyakara of Hindustani Classical Music
The historic city of Kashi has been the place of
birth of many enlightened souls, music masteros and yogis. In the last quarter
of 19th century there lived a musical mastero in this city who
revived the Kheyal Gayaki tradition of Banaras Gharana. Sangeet Samrat Bade
Ramdas Mishra ji is the foremost Guru of Banaras Gharana, who was responsible
for developing the Kheyal gayaki style of Banaras Gharana.He enjoyed the patronage of the King of Nepal. He developed a unique type of Kheyal Gayaki,
adhering closely to Sangeet shastras. His
compositions had the mudhra “raamdas ke mohan pyare”, ”ramdas ke govind swami” etc. He has also composed some dadras. Chaturang which is rare to get to
hear nowadays have also been composed by him. Some of his compositions in
raagas like Abhogi Kaanada, Rageshri, Desi, Raamdasi Mallhar are unique and
worth tremendous research in terms of meaning and musical content.Towards the later part of his life he settled down at Banaras (Kaashi) and taught many students. Two of his students Chote Ramdas and Pandit
Jalpa Prasad Mishraji developed to be prominent musicians carrying forward his
legacy .
The semi classical
musical form, Thumri enjoyed great support of the audience in the 20th century.
This discouraged musicians from taking up to Kheyal Gayaki seriously. Still, Pt Jalpa Prasad Mishraji dedicated his
life to carry forward the Kheyal tradition of his maternal grandfather, Bade
Ramdas ji. After his demise his foremost student Pt. Narendra Kumar Jha (who
accompanied Jalpaji in concerts for nearly 03 decades) continues to glorify the
tradition. He has his masters in musicology
from Banaras Hindu University.
Since 2004, Smt R Aruna Sri, came under his tutelage,
after learning from Agra Gharana for 05 years. In her debut performance at
Ganga Ghat in 2007 her presentation reminded art connoisseurs’ that Bade Raamdas
Gharana has survived the test of time. With her Guru she cofounded BRAAMIC (Bade Ramdas Academy of Arts,
Music and Indian Culture) and the Bhaghirathi Trust for promoting the Bade Ramdas
tradition at National as well as International levels. Ganga Seva Nidhi (NGO)
& Kanchi Mutt of Varanasi supported this cause to move forward.
BRAAMIC has been conducting yearly music
festivals known as “Sangeet Samrat Bade
Ramdas ji Smruthi Aaradhana “ for the past six years.