Niloy Ahsan – Breathing Raga (Worlds Within Worlds, 2024)
Breathing Raga is a mesmerizing and deeply satisfying album by Indian classical Dhrupad vocalist Niloy Ahsan. Niloy Ahsan is regarded as one of the foremost Dhrupad vocalists of his generation, having studied under the tutelage of the renowned Gundecha Brothers and Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar.
As part of the illustrious Dagar lineage, which spans 21 generations and traces back to Swami Haridas in the 15th century, Niloy is a master of the Alap. His virtuosic, sophisticated, subtle, and serene presentation thoroughly explores the microtonal nuances, delicately unveiling the intricacies of the raga, elements often overlooked or lost in other musical forms.
In Breathing Raga, Niloy offers a rendition of Raag Bhairav, an early morning raga known for its immense aesthetic depth, symbolizing the drowsy, wandering state of early morning around sunrise. The first two parts of the raga feature the sublime, emotive and exceptional vocals of Niloy accompanied by a drone, while the last two include percussion accompaniment.
“Music holds profound importance in my life,” says Niloy. “It allows me to authentically and genuinely convey my deepest experiences as I sing. As a human being, I find that I can express myself most effectively through music, surpassing the limitations of speaking or writing, or any other medium.”
“Singing, to me, serves as a powerful method of maintaining health, activity, consciousness, and strength in life. In particular, my discipline of music, Dhrupad, encourages deep breath control while singing, ensuring that the entire body is engaged in the act of exhaling or vocalizing. This practice consciously activates all singing registers, spanning from the base of the spine to the crown of the head, making it a profound yogic experience for me.”
“Moreover, music serves as a conduit for exploring profound questions about life and the universe. It allows me to delve into the intricate layers of emotions, associating myself with different feelings and expressions. Witnessing these deep-seated emotions materialize into sound brings me immense joy and fulfillment. Ultimately, music isn’t just a part of my life; it is life itself. It defines who I am and encapsulates my essence.”
Breathing Raga undoubtably establishes Niloy Ahsan as one of the leading Dhrupad musicians of his generation.
Musicians: Niloy Ahsan on vocals; Roman Das on pakhawaj; and Prateek Solanki & Eshan Gupta on tanpura.
Buy Breathing Raga.
Author: Douglas Sanders
