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I first knew Kesari Prasad, a sweet Banaras sarangiya, in the '70s in Banaras. Later he secured employment at the Bhatkhande Sangeet Mahavidyalaya (Music College) in Lucknow where I met him in April 1997. He had an interesting introverted quality—only sometimes showing the pleasure that he took in music.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first video is of rag Todi:

 

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Then a rendition of Mishra Bhairavi in thumri style.

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Then a piece which I did not recognise, perhaps a bhajan:

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Then something akin to rag Kalashree:

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 The last thing he played was a beautiful Chaiti, a song of Springtime:

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Then we talked about his life and music:

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© 1994-2024 Nicolas Magriel