Surashree Kesarbai Kerkar: An article by Dr Ashok Da Ranade

Surashree Kesarbai Kerkar: An article by Dr Ashok Damodar Ranade, originally published in Dr Ranade’s book ‘Some Hindustani Musicians: They lit the way!’ (2011, New Delhi: Promilla & Co.) Dr Ranade brilliantly brings out various aspects of the musical personality of Surashree Kesarbai Kerkar in this article. After giving her brief life sketch, Dr Ranade ellucidates on her voice and melodic elaboration, formation and execution of Tana, her un-noticed eclecticism, and her authority. Finally, Dr Ranade illustrates an interesting personal interaction with Kesarbai along with a few anecdotes. His article is indeed an excellent specimen of aesthetic analysis of a musician. Voice over: Preshit Abhyankar & Shruti Kunte Audio selection and editing: Dr Chaitanya Kunte Video production: Shruti Kunte (Dr Ashok Da Ranade Archives, Pune) ©Dr Ashok Da Ranade Memorial Trust Content in the video: 0:00 Intro 00:00:11 Raga Lalita Gauri 1 00:01:40 A Brief Life Sketch 00:03:36 Raga Lalita Gauri 2 00:05:51 Voice and melodic elaboration 00:11:58 Raga Lalita Gauri 3 00:14: 13 Formation and execution of Tana 00:23:28 Raga Lalita Gauri 4 00:26:14 Her (un-noticed!) eclecticism 00:29:19 Raga Lalita Gauri 5 00:31:15 The precision 00:32:58 Raga Khokar:Aaj Anand Mukhachandra 00:35:48 And the Authority 00:37:04 Bageshri Bahar: Ritu Basant Mein 00:38:08 Kesarbai & Ranade: An interaction 00:43:01 Raga Malkauns: Mein San Meet 00:45:09 Kesarbai and Thumri 00:45:56 Soordas Bhajan in Kafi: Udho Man Nahi Dus Bees 00:49:01 Kesarbai’s playfulness 00:49:34 Khamaj Hori: Aye Shyam Mose Khelan Hori 00:52:35 Kesarbai: A lady with a strong backbone 00:53:26 Bhairavi Thumri: Babul Mora