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The Hindu : Beat streetRaag AnuraagParameshwar Hegde Music Academy, CD, Rs. 200Raag Anuraag, the two-CD pack, is the most unusual album of these times. Not just in terms of content, but also as an endeavour. It contains 25 tracks of different ragas of the Hindustani repertoire, preceded by a short introduction to each of these ragas. The most important thing is that they are all sung by students of music and not by professional musicians. However, from the very beginning what is glaring is the remarkable professionalism to the entire production. The crisp renditions, the meticulous scripting of music as well as the spoken word, the structure everything speaks of perfect presentation skills. The credit must go to Pandit Parameshwar Hegde (concept and direction), who’s the guiding spirit of this album. Not many teachers can boast of having trained so many competent students.Every three ragas in the album forms a set and the common features of these ragas are explained, even as the variations are brought out. For instance, Madhuvanti, Patdeep and Bhimpalasi or Marwa, Puriya, and Sohini… the commentary fills you in with details about the That of the raga, vadi-samvadi, the scale, and the time at which the raga should be sung, apart from the subtle differences that make them different. The album at once, caters to the student and connoisseur, with theoretical inputs and the masterly renditions alike.Amrita Rao who opens the album with her rendition of Madhuvanti is outstanding. There’s an amazing poise and an enviable maturity to her singing.The manner in which the special notes are introduced is absolutely graceful. She also sings Kedar, (“Nave ninaar” is lovely) and Shankara in the album. If I was struck by another voice and rendition it was of Shridhar Hegde (he’s not Hedge as it says in sleeve notes). His singing is so reflective, it haunts. As he sings Puriya Kalyan, Maru Bihag, you soak in…More