Nath Ha Maza - Great Marathi Song

The below three videos are three different renditions of the same song by different people. Go ahead and listen to these,  If you loved them and felt the urge to listen to them again and again, read on to share my own pleasure of these songs!

I positioned the songs in the sequence that I heard them over decades.  The first one, by Pt. Kumar Gandharv has always been the standard for me.  Only after I watched "Bal Gandharv" movie recently (second one is a scene from the movie) and understood the greatness of Bal Gandharv.  The third version is actually by Bal Gandharv.

I like it because...

Typically, when I listen to a song and love it, it never elicits similar response when someone else sings the same song.  Here, that is not the case.  Though arguably Bal Gandharv's should be the most authentic - I love all three versions.  I can see the greater skill, ease and control on the part of Bal Gandharv and Kuma Gandharv, but the movie version sung by (Varada Godbole and Anand Bhate) brought out the beauty in its own way!  In the end, the song is so beautiful, all comparisons become meaningless.

Natya Sangeet in Marathi (the genre of which this song is but one example) and the similar genre of Padya Natakalu in Telugu are a particular favorite of mine.  They both are so rooted in classical music and allow for extempore exploration.  The dramatic background of the story helps to provide the context for the song.  But it is obvious that the story and acting are a distant second to music and singing.  In a sense these are closest to the Opera style of music.  Some of the stalwarts of these genres, including Bal Gandharv, Raghuramayya of Telugu, have such strong voices and beautiful gamakas, they defined the genre for decades.  I can hear criticism of this music as being similar to 'mere circus'.  For those that hold this opinion, I'll respectfully suggest that they may not have experienced the thrill of a circus.  Music may not be defined by it, but I don't see why one important facet of music cannot emulate the beauty of a circus!

If you crave even more versions of this song, try the following links from Google Music (Unfortunately, you'll need a subscription to Google Music service, to be able to access these)

Bal Gandharv Movie Audio Track of Nath ha : Full Version (uninterrupted by the dialog)

N.Rajam's rendition (Violin in Gayaki style, a very beautify effect in deed)

Bal Gandharv Full Movie (A very well done biopic of Bal Gandharv.  This version has the rightly timed sub-titles, for those that don't understand marathi)