Sanjeev Ramabhadran and Non-Marathi Singers Singing Marathi Songs

 

Sanjeev Ramabhadran and

Non-Marathi Singers Singing Marathi Songs

Shrikant G. Talageri

 

It was a combination of circumstances which made me write this article. So this article has three parts:

1. Sanjeev Ramabhadran.

2. Music Crossing the Religious Divide.

3, Non-Marathi Singers Singing Marathi Songs

Basically, after writing an article recently about Marathi speakers being targeted as chauvinistic, somehow this may seem a corollary to that article. But it was actually triggered off by a totally different and unrelated circumstance, a whatsapp video shown to me by my brother.

 

I. Sanjeev Ramabhadran

The real indirect inspiration for this article was a video about a Tamilian NRI, born and brought up in the USA, but who apparently also studied in Delhi and Mumbai who basically sings Hindi songs rather than Marathi.

The video sent by someone (on whatsapp) of a singer named Sanjeev Ramabhadran singing a Hindi song Jaane Kya Dhoondhti Rahti Hai Ye Ankhen Mujh Mein in the TV competition Sa Re Ga Ma Pa (then being compered by singer Sonu Nigam) in 1997. The video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSN2Cjt268E 

I found his singing so fascinating that I searched through youtube and found and downloaded a huge number of songs sung by him (while I sometimes download stray songs sung by other than the original singers, I rarely do so on a whole-scale level. Before this, I had likewise downloaded some Asha-Nayyar songs by Madhura Datar): I recommend that lovers of old Hindi songs should also see and hear them. Some of the videos are from 2023 and 2024, which means this wonderful singer has maintained his superb singing through the decades (I must add: he is still young), and I really felt sad that such wonderful singers are not grabbed by Indian music directors. But then, I realized that it was really all for the best that they are not, since then they would be singing the kind of later and newer Hindi songs which belong to a much less (if at all) divine world of Hindi music rather than the golden world of songs that his videos represent; and his singing as well as choice of songs show that if he had been so grabbed, he personally would probably have been a richer and more famous person, but Hindi music (and lovers of old songs) would have lost something. After all, the old world of music was divine not only because of the singers but also because of the music directors and song writers. Perhaps it may seem to many that this sounds opinionated and selfish, but well, it is my opinion.

As I was going through his songs on youtube, I found an unknown song, which was apparently set to tune by a singer named Shaila Hattangadi. My own usual (mild) chauvinism was kindled to see the Chitrapur Saraswat connection. Going on, I saw that he has also sung (among others) two of my favorite Marathi songs (Shukra Tara Manda Vara, and Swar Ale Duruni):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eDQZNgglEg 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAAdS6bm3BY

This brought me to my topic for this article: Non-Marathi Singers Singing Marathi Songs. And again emphasized in my mind that Music is the one area where beautiful music crosses all boundaries of language and religion. 

 

II. Music Crossing the Religious Divide

Music certainly crosses all boundaries of religion: Hindu singers sing songs about Allah and Muslim topics with as much freedom and zest as Muslim singers sing songs about Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The former should not surprise in any field, but at least in matters of music, even the latter does not surprise one at all: it is no coincidence that the topmost and most iconic instrumentalists associated with the shehnai in the north and the nadhaswaram in the South are Ustad Bismillah Khan and Sheik Chinna Moulana respectively, and they very regularly perform in temples:

Bismillah Khan With N Rajam (Raag Yaman)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8803uMBLBE

Bismillah Khan Concert in Datta Peetham

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRoWZ7q_dbQ

Sheik Chinnamoulana at 147^th Thyagaraja Aradhana Thiruvaiyaru 1994

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDAuoh0-cRg

Endharo Mahanaubhavulu a Pancharatna Krithi of Thyagaraja

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zVO_8r89wo

 

Ustad Bismillah Khan, in an interview, had once said that the music he played was Hindu music, and that it would not be appreciated so much in Pakistan where many people frowned on music itself. I asked the question on google: “Ustad Bismillah Khan on why he did not migrate to Pakistan”, and the “Google AI overview answer” was:

“Ustad Bismillah Khan did not migrate to Pakistan because of his deep love for his home city, Varanasi, and his attachment to the cultural and religious sites there, such as the temples and the Ganga River. He felt his life and music were inseparable from India and the spiritual environment of Varanasi, and he famously stated that he went to Pakistan only briefly to be able to say he had visited it. 

·         Attachment to Varanasi: Khan considered Varanasi his home and felt a strong spiritual connection to the city, the temples like Balaji and Mangala Gauri, and the Ganga River, which he said inspired his music. He is quoted as saying, "Arre, will I ever leave my Benares?".

·         Cultural and musical roots: His career and musical journey were deeply rooted in India, and he did not want to leave the environment where he learned and developed his art.

·         Love for India: He had a strong sense of duty to his country and felt that his contribution to Indian culture was more important than any personal gain he might have found elsewhere. He saw his music as an integral part of India's heritage.

·         Brief visit to Pakistan: He did cross the border into Pakistan once for a short time, but he returned quickly. He explained that he only did so to be able to say he had been to Pakistan, but he knew he "would never last there".”

 

But this truly secular attitude, and respect for Hindu culture and spiritualism (largely missing among Indian Muslims in general, and definitely among fundamentalist Muslims) is found among countless Muslim musicians (especially Classical musicians) even as they have in no way abandoned their Muslim identity and religious practices: whether it is the famous Dagar Brothers or Ustad Vilayat Khan. Again, as per the “Google AI overview”, Ustad Vilayat Khan “saw music, particularly the ragas of Hindustani music, as a spiritual journey that reflected a universal divinity, blending his deep Islamic faith with an understanding of the spiritual significance of Hindu deities and concepts inherent in the music. He viewed his art as a way to express the profound, multi-faceted nature of the divine, transcending the limits of any single name or form….He explained his understanding of ragas like Bhairav and Bhairavi by connecting them to their Hindu deity counterparts (Shiva and Parvati), seeing the music as a reflection of the divine's infinite power and various manifestations.”

Likewise, see the following classical pieces by the famous Hindustani maestro, Ustad Amir Khan:

Jinke Man Ram Biraje (Malkauns)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZkrJSeX3bk

Daya Kar he Giridhar Gopal (film: Shabab)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDuaj1X0tb0

 

Or by Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan:

Hari Om Tatsat (Pahadi)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huBUekkKDZs

Bhaj Re Hari Naam (Darbari)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7Mg5rPaUeA

 

Music has this power. Naushad (as per so many videos available on youtube) was apparently a Muslim chauvinist, and apparently he even took an active personal interest in preventing Muslim actresses from marrying Hindus − incidentally, he is my absolutely most favorite Hindi  film Music Director – but some of the most beautiful bhajans in Hindi films are by the combination of Naushad, Shakeel Badayuni and Mohd. Rafi. In fact the above bhajan by Ustad Amir Khan from Shabab also was by Naushad.

We have the glowing example of Christian singer Yesudas who has not only sung countless Hindu bhajans with true devotion, but openly rejected objections from Church authorities, while dealing respectfully with ultra-orthodox Hindu elements as well:

https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/singer-yesudas-applies-for-permission-to-pray-at-padmanabhaswamy-temple-117091700466_1.html

 

Note how even this Muslim sufi song by Pakistani singer Abida Parveen incidentally (at 5.03 to 5.15, and again later) talks about “mere shyam salona man mohan vi tu” and later “mera dharma vi tu”:

Mera Yaar Vi Tu Mera Ishq Vi Tu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfjXBIYa9bU

Incidentally, since the first part of this article was about songs by Sanjeev Ramabhadran, see his video of the Mohd. Rafi song “Allah Teri Khair Kare” from the film Heer. He started out by showing the Muslim Punjabi song on which it was based, which talks about not just “Allah” but also “Nabi Rasool Paigambar”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hIFofxMAo8

 

However, let us be clear about this: singing and becoming moved by musical beauty in religious songs pertaining to different (from the singer’s own) religion is absolutely a part of that great universal philosophy called Music. But let this not be confused with dirty political attitudes towards music and hate-ideologies which use music to express or further their hatred. Three such categories come to mind:

1. “Hindu” singers who sing at Evangelist programs aimed at converting Hindus to Christianity.

2. Some Pakistani singers who are known to have expressed hatred towards Hinduism and contempt for “kafir” music.

3. Some particularly viciously provocative leftist “Hindu” musicians who use music in various ways expressing their contempt and hatred for Hinduism: e.g. by singing Thyagaraja krithis at Evangelist programs substituting “Yesu” for “Rama” and composing caricatures of Thyagaraja krithis (or other Hindu bhajans) with such substitutions of “Yesu” or “Allah” or “Nabi/Rasool” for the names of Hindu deities.

This particular kind of cannibalism is going from bad to worse, especially among the flourishing Proselytizing Evangelists in the South, where Hindu rituals and customs are regularly and blatantly taken over, replacing only the Hindu deities with Jesus, Mary or the cross:

https://x.com/ssaratht/status/1965730981752799336

All these activities have nothing to do with Music, only with Hate-ideologies.

 

III. Non-Marathi Singers Singing Marathi Songs

There have been many non-Marathi singers singing Marathi songs. [I am naturally not including the flood of Marathi singers of Goan origin].I

Let us start with the famous singer, Sudha Malhotra (a Punjabi, and a popular singer in Hindi films). Particularly noteworthy is this song, Visarshil Khas Mala, popular on Akashwani (later recorded in the voice of Asha Bhosle). See both the versions:

Visarshil Khaas Mala

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE3mcHqMItQ

There were other songs by her, which I have not been able to get (and in fact are not available), like Maagu Nako Sakha Ze Mazhe Na Rahile.

She has also sung the following popular duets with Arun Date:

Shukra Tara Manda Wara

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xx-cFTF4XA

Haat Tuzha Haataat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i1hRUCors0

 

Geeta Dutt, a Bengali, and extremely popular in Hindi, has also sung a few Marathi songs. Some examples:

Zaaa Sang Lakshmana Sang Ram Rajala

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUWAKoz6Ly0&list=PLuujFNBm4OgaUKVHV8-doy6jyv8h9iBVy&index=2

Jai Martand Jai Malhar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCxVrife8i0&list=PLuujFNBm4OgaUKVHV8-doy6jyv8h9iBVy&index=4

Ganpati Bappa Moraya- Swapna Tech Lochani

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkM8_1hQDxo&list=PLuujFNBm4OgaUKVHV8-doy6jyv8h9iBVy&index=5

Mukya Manache Bol Sazana Bol Zhale Phol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n5Kesno_ys

 

A Gujarati singer Madhubala Zaveri/Chawla was very popular in Hindi songs and equally popular in Marathi ones. Some examples:

Aaz Mi Aalavite Kedar- Avghachi Saunsar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f_Eaj8DUUQ

Dhaumya Rushi Sangat Ase- Sangte Aika

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BM9A5R_m97o

Gade Pahu Naka Haat Laau Naka

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUm9UV0fk1M

Ambarat Nazukashi Chandrakor Aahe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpxx5rbQK64

Soduniya Brij Dhaam Savalya Zashi Kuthe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hCMRIBE-tg

Majhya Galala Padte Khali

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lggGtHp5rlM

Jivachya Jivalaga Nandlala Re

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCtBnoZ_wuM

Udho Udho Udho Maagte Ambabaicha Zogwa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCnN4eTzRP4

 

Among male singers from the north, the first name that comes to mind is Mahendra Kapoor. He lived in Mumbai, and in fact studied in the same school that I did (St. Xavier’s High School, Dhobi Talao) and was chief guest during the centenary programs in 1969. He has sung prolifically in Marathi. Some examples:

Abol  Zhalis Ka- Vaibhav

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT1sB0XXow4

Anjanichya Suta Tula

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L30dv6GgJdY

He Chincheche Zhad- Madhuchandra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMKMh4dssM4

Hi Tumchi Bharatmata- Shevatcha Malusara

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tnko6gcmsFc

Jinku Kinvva Maru- Chhota Jawan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sD6dG7CsIo

Kay Karu Mi Te Sanga- Sant Nivrutti Namdev

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZspbgnBcsnA

Raatris Khel Chale- Ha Khel Savalyancha

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_8XWaPpQHg

Saundaryachi Khan Pahili

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9dz3i-7OSs

Sur Tech Chhedita- Apradh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pYcGS6Qd0M

Swapnat Pahile Ze- Apradh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApkFNR7ZvY8

Ti Yete Anik Zate

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApkFNR7ZvY8

Tuzhe Roop Rani- Shevatcha Malusara

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0sywDWItLw

Zhatkun Tak Jiva- Madhuchandra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdGJ3CQbFlQ

(With Asha) Asata Samip Doghe- Ek Do Teen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zssSAOVhHH0

(With Asha) Madhu Ithe An Chandra Tithe- Madhuchandra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9f4MZmmJHY

(With Asha) Tula Samazale Mala Samazale- Madhuchandra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KenVj-_q9Qo

(With Lata) Az Guz Sangte Tula

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JG_ylw3pS24

(With Usha)  Jeevan Gaane Gaatach Rahave

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFW3wUcvOHI

(With Usha)  Jivachya Sakhila Kitida- Dhananjay

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0VYOvg6RGo

(With Suman)  Sang Kadhi Kalanar Tula -Apradh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hY92txiMeY

 

Here are some Marathi songs by some of the other famous non-Marathi male singers from Hindi films:

Manna Dey:

Ghana Ghana Mala- Varadakshina

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXrOR7bCyzE

A Aa Aai Ma Ma Maka- Ek Dhaga Sukhacha

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrjH1JuyrpM

Gopala Gopala- Devaki Nandan Gopala

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQphVDsOpdI

Vitevari Ubha Deenancha Kaivari

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m39TPXvfgd0

Aadhi Rachili Pandhari

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzezHiGdPR0

(With Lata) Preet Rangali Ga- Shrimaan Balasaheb

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZwjGo7vxy8

(With Asha) Priti Mhanje Kaay- Zuna Te Sona

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZpczOSfaNc

(With Asha) Chand Gagani Ala- Nandadeep

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFRhvxrOisQ

 

Mohd Rafi:   

Prabhu Ji Khel Tuzha Nyara

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cd5W97A17jA

Ha Rusawa Sod Sakhe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91C4RI40Vyw

Are He Dukkhi Jiva Bekarar Hou Nako

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=immMMTLTBBw

He Mana Aaz Koni Bagh Tula Saaz Ghali

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05tFWYGODJw

Prabhu Re Khel Tuzha Nyara

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cd5W97A17jA

Shodhisi Manava Rauli Mandiri

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-TFKt-jy8c

Ha Chhanda Jivala Laavi Pise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF3YwRxwxKo

Prabhu Tu Dayalu krupasvanta Data

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1QosuTXBQc

Virale Geet Kase Zhali Manachi Shakle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEnFVZDeXwo

 

Hemant Kumar:

Preetichya Chand Raatri

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9mOFIg-JSM

Tuzhe Asun Tuzapashi- Pahile Prem

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbejKuFeFUk&list=PLrIBTtjgaclfAL2KMDTsrgoCYWg3gUWeg&index=5

(With Lata) Mi Dolkar Dariyacha Raja

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAeAgVAjHck

 (With Asha) Gomu Sanatina Majhya Tu Yeshil Ka

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvvPf7yT2kE&list=PLrIBTtjgaclfAL2KMDTsrgoCYWg3gUWeg&index=6

His voice also begins this multi-singer song:

Swarajya Toran Chadhe- Maratha Tituka Milwawa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce4TKodXUFc

 

Talat Mehmood:

Jenvha Tula Mi Pahile

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D75whJsD1vI

Yash He Amrut Zhale- Putra Vhawa Aisa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vqv-UEgtGs

(With Asha) Hasale Aadhi Kuni- Molkarin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7mewXcIzIA

(With Suman) Swapne Manatali Ka- Putra Vhawa Aisa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25VHj5wjyVM

 

Mukesh:

Ekda Yeun Za Tu- Saptapadi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqvWLE1g6ys

 

Kishore Kumar:

Ashwini Ye Na- Gammat Jammat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2h0PTS2WCg

 

Bhupendra:

Aalis Saanz Veli Gheun Swapna Mazhe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ijpyKaoZqY

 

Moving towards the South:

The first name that springs to the eye is Janaki Iyer (not to be confused with a modern singer of the same name) who was a very popular singer in Marathi. Some examples:

Pardeshi Sazan Ghari Aale

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRBYoqfM914

Majhya Manaat Vinite Naav Ga

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5ULUmi7iJs

Umatali Ramachi Paaule

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MYM5zQIfIE

Dharila Pandharicha Chor Tene Bandhuniya Dor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrJH-_5hM2U

Chandrabhagechya Terrala

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xij6w0o-xK0

Zara Thambava Raghurayala

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHy55tb9onc

 

Later of course, we have the popular Vani Jairam. Some examples:

Sukhache Sukha Shrihari Mukha

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeN5y-QD0C4

Prem Pise Bharale Angi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjSzTiLiGR4

Kaay Mazha Aata Pahatosi Anta

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khdZDiuo0BU

Khanderaya Tujhi dharite Navasa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi3WUm_TNO8

Nesali Pitambara Zari

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByHz9w0AI40

Zunzu Munzu Zhala Bai

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3wHF7se5ow

(With Kumar Gandharva) Runanubandhachya Jithun Padalya Gaathi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0CXNZyGVeU

 

There was even a Marathi chorus song sung by singer Sharda (a Tamilian) who featured in many Hindi songs of Shankar Jaikishan:

Hirvya Hirvya Ranganchi Zhadi Halataat- Ti Mi Navhech

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzxr6eizCis

 

The only song by a male singer I could find is by Yesudas:

Mayechi Sauli

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoOgcI0-8Z4

 

But, on  male singers from the South, how many people know that Bhimsen Joshi and Kumar Gandharva, the very popular Classical maestros, and also popular for their Marathi songs, were originally Kannadigas from Karnataka? [So were so many other doyens of Hindustani Classical music like Sawai Gandharva, Mallikarjun Mansur and Gangubai Hangal].

There are so many Marathi (and Hindi, Kannada, and other language) classical pieces, bhajans, film songs and natyageet sung by Bhimsen Joshi and Kumar Gandharva that I will give only a few prominent beautiful examples:

Bhimsen Joshi:

Indrayani Kathi Devachi Alandi- Gulacha Ganpati

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbXsqtxsea4

Ramya Hi Swargahuni Lanka- Swayamvar Zhale Siteche

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juq16lSm6KA

Sampale Jeevan- Pativrata

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYw5llBrOWg

Rasika Gaau Konate Geet- Pativrata

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEMJnw2bxyU

Shodhito Radhela Gopal- Sheraas Savva Sher

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SH8QjT7OzkQ

Man Ho Ram Rangi Rangale

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-_qx6VXMA4

Teertha Vitthala Kshetra Vitthala

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhuiK97g20E

 

Kumar Gandharva:

Aaz Achanak Gaath Pade

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dSTTUBbo0Q

Prem Kele Kaay Ha Zhala Gunha

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucUgl3Xa1jg

Uthi Uthi Gopala- Dev Deena Ghari Dhavala

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-z9ouGixLE

 

Actually, Maharashtra with its rich musical culture (folk songs, natyageet, classical, film songs, bhavgeets, abhangs and bhaktigeets, etc.), being also the place where the Indian Film Industry took birth, and the home of  cosmopolitan Bombay/Mumbai, and of the “Bollywood” Hindi film industry, is a kind of center of attention for true music lovers from all over India, and hence nowadays we find singers from all over India noting Marathi songs and taking part in Marathi music competitions on TV (and even winning them), and uploading videos of themselves singing Marathi songs, it will not be possible to show all these aspects in this article: a search of youtube will provide a panorama of non-Marathi people singing Marathi songs (and indeed, all kinds of people singing songs in languages which are not their mother-tongue). I will give just one beautiful example:

Sniti Mishra singing natyageet “He Suranno Chandra Vha”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9p5XSfv410

 

One name I must mention before ending this article is the actor Sumeet Raghavan. I do not think he has recorded any song, but long ago he had appeared as a participant in the Marathi Sa Re Ga Ma Pa contest. I thought him the best singer, although he did not win. I actually wondered at the time whether it was a genuine case of Marathi chauvinism on the part of the Marathi people who “vote” in such contests (and anyway I rarely watch such contests), but it may have been that though he was (in my opinion) the best singer (and really had a unique and beautiful voice) his choice of songs (again in my opinion) was not so good.

But I mention his name because he is a living example of the very opposite of the phenomenon that I have often referred to (of non-Marathi people living in Mumbai having disdain for Marathi). He is a Tamilian and his wife is Marathi. But what makes him really worthy of respect is the fact that he so closely identifies himself with the language of the city he lives in that he put his children in Marathi-medium schools (something few of the “Marathi”-politics indulging politicians in Mumbai would do, and in fact I do not know whether even I would have been bold enough to do so if I had children and had to chose their medium of instruction) and has absolutely no regrets about having done so!