My Favourite bandishes in Raag Yaman 

Among the Vilambit Khayals, my favourite is “mera man bandh lino” a bandish composed by Pandit Ram Ashreya Jha ‘Ramrang’ (not to be confused with another khayal bandish which uses the same first words, composed by Sadarang). This bandish is almost Raag Yaman personified for me.

It is fascinating to listen to listen to Kumar Gandharva’s interpretation of this raag. The genius used to look at a raag from all sides and often be enchanted by what he called an angular view of a raag, rather than a linear view. As is the case with anything he sang; his rendition of Raag Yaman is something that you would not have experienced in any other musician. Among his compositions in the Raag, I am especially fond of “deep ki bela” a bandish in madhyalaya. The arrangement of notes and the musical patterns are very interesting; especially in the antara. Also love “piharvaa aao hum tum mil”  - again for the expressive quality in it.

These are some of my favourites but I love any composition that brings out what I love about the Raag.