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MUSIC REVIEWS

It is said that chanting mantras is a powerful devise to calm the mind and body and thus achieve amazing results in all aspects of our life. And if you can start the day with your chosen chant it sets the rhythm for the entire day. Under its spiritual category, Times music has brought out a number of CDs that include ‘The Power of Gayatri’; ‘Aum’; ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ and ‘Amrit Naam Ram’.

A powerhouse mantra, the Gayatri mantra is widely acclaimed in India, and its supreme status is further enhanced by Lord Krishna’s proclamation in his spiritual discourse in the Bhagvad Geeta, that among the mantras he is Gayatri. Gayatri mantra exerts its influence over various levels of existence: Physical, mental and emotional.

Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah; Om Tat Savitur Varenyam bhargo devasya dhimahi; Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat. Om. Which means, ‘Oh, creator of the universe! We meditate upon thy supreme splendour. May thy radiant power, illuminate our intellects, destroy our sins, and guide us in the right direction’. The chant is sung in turn by well-known singers like Hari Haran, Anup Jalota, Sadhana Sargam, Shankar Mahadevan among others. The CD also includes an instrumental version of the divine mantra.

‘Aum’, or the Om chant that is chanted to invoke the inner essence of existence, is rendered by noted Ghazal singer Jagjit Singh. He displays an amazing range here by rendering the Om in various ways. The album consists of three different tracks that has blissful music to go with the flow of Om sung by Jagit Singh. Singh also meditates on Ram in the album, ‘Amrit Naam Ram’, set to music by Surya Raj Kamal.

Album ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ by Pankaj Udhas comprises of 40 hymns in praise of Lord Hanuman. Chanting these hymns is believed to inculcate inner strength and fearlessness. Most effective when chanted on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Pankaj Udhas does a good job of singing and pronouncing the hymns in a clear voice, thereby making it easier to memorise the entire 40 hymns.