ALBUMS FOR GANESH CHATURTHI

GANAPATI BAPPA MORAYA (MARATHI)
T-Series, Rs. 30
Timed well ahead of the 10-day long Ganapati fest commencing September 1, this album of eight devotional songs is bound to be extremely popular, not only among Ganesh devotees but also music lovers in general. This is because the songs have been expertly tuned by the youngest music composer, Aditya Paudwal (son of Anuradha Paudwal and the late Arun Paudwal), who is already creating waves in the world of music.

Additionally, these songs have been penned by veteran poet and music composer Yeshvant Deo, and rendered by seasoned and well-known singers like Anuradha Paudwal and Ravindra Sathe. Also associated with the work as music arrangers are Nandu Honap, himself a composer of repute, and Vilas Joglekar. The lyrics are simple, soulful and full of meaning, and have been embellished in a variety of tunes which will appeal to the listeners. The two singers have rendered the songs with fervour and enriched the musical content. The songs rendered by Anuradha Paudwal are Ya ho ya Ganaraya (prefaced with the chanting of Ganapati bappa Moraya), Ya Gharaachya umbaryala, Om Gajanana hey naam sodu nako, Gouri aalya Ganapati aale and Hey Ganaraya Gouritanaya. Those rendered by Ravindra Sathe have a classical base, but are easy to hum and include Ghadu de akhand seva, Naman Shivsuta and Hey Ganaraya varnu kaise. An album which every music lover should have in his collection.

OM NAMO GANARAYA (MARATHI)
T-Series, Rs. 30
Another album of devotional songs for the Ganapati festival. The lyrics have been penned by veteran poet Yeshwant Deo and rendered exquisitely by Kavita Paudwal (daughter of Anuradha Paudwal and the late Arun Paudwal), another Paudwal who is on the ascendant in the world of music. Her renderings are ear-pleasing and would prove to be instant hits with the listeners. The music has been composed by Dhananjay Mishra, with Nandu Honap as arranger, and their combined efforts go to enhance the total effect. The audio has six songs but the listener may wish there were some more. The songs on Side A are Ganaraja Gajanan aala, Om Namo Ganaraya (the title track) and Sukhshanti khari milate, while those on the flipside include Sukhkarta dukkhaharta, Hey Siddhivinayak gajavadana and Chala Ganapati darshanaala. Another album which is a must in one’s collection.

GOURI GEETE (MARATHI)
Krunal, Rs. 35
An audio of 10 songs described as Mahilanchi gaani (women’s songs), ideally suited for group dancing by young girls during the ensuing festival season. Embellished in popular folk tunes, the songs have been rendered by Shakuntala Jadhav, Madhuri, Devyani Girdhar and Sonali Kolambkar with Ashok Wayangankar as arranger. Deserving mention are songs like Mangala gavar, Aamhee Savitrichya leki and Naach ga ghuma (all rendered by Shakuntala Jadhav), and Natuni thatuni jamalya, Gourai aalyaat sonyaachya and Aamchi Gourai (all sung by Madhuri). The remaining songs are Yaa sayaano yaa by Sonali Kolambkar, Gouri aanaayla jaawoo by Devyani Girdhar, Ghaagar ghumu de by Shakuntala Jadhav and Ye ga Gourabai by Madhuri.

OM GANARAYA (MARATHI)
Sangeet, Rs. 35
An album of 36 non-stop devotional Ganapati and Gouri songs for the coming festive season. The lyrics have been written by Raghunath Matkari and set to music by Mangesh Sawant. They have been rendered by Santosh Nayak, Shrikant Narayan and Vaishali Samant. The audio opens with the traditional Ganapati bappa Moreshwara, while the concluding track is Pudhachya varshi lavakar yaa. Ideal for playing at celebrations connected with the Ganapati festival.

GANESH STOTRAM
(SANSKRIT)
Sangeet, Rs. 35
An album of devotional stanzas in Sanskrit offering prayers to Ganesh for the alleviation of misfortunes and adversities. The recitation, in the nature of a continuous chant embracing both the sides of the audio, is by Ravindra Sathe in his rich voice, so very suitable for rendering a work of this type. The verses, described as Sankatnashanganesh stotram are from Narad Puran, beginning with Pranamya shirsa devam Gouriputram Vinayaknam and concluding with Tasya vidya bhavetsarva Ganeshasya prasaadatah. At the end of the audio is a Hindi translation of the Stotram by Dr Prakash, in prose form, and read out by Sanjay Choudhary. The musical score is credited to Kishan Roy.

OM GAM GANPATAYE NAMAH
Venus, Rs. 30
This album has continuous chanting of Lord Ganesha’s name in traditional style. Ravindra Sathe is the singer, while music arrangers are Kirti-Girish and Mangesh Sawant.

LADKYA GANPATI BALA
Venus, Rs. 30
Singers Arun Ingle, Shrikant Narayan, Vaishali Samant and Sushma Devi sing their odes to Ganesha. Vitthal Shinde is the composer.

Reviewed By Salma Khatib And Pandit Shimpi