Deobrat Mishra : Yoga Mantra

May 22, 2023

Yoga is a form of physical exercise practiced to maintain health, and a Mantra is a repeated holy chant, combined they promote physical well-being and mental clarity. Yoga Mantra presents a fresh sound for ancient traditional songs of spiritual practice and discipline. Dean Evenson’s flute adds an original dimension to these classical religious works sung by Deobrat Mishra as both he and his nephew lead the way on sitar. The resulting sound promotes feelings of peace and spiritual clarity, with a sense of relaxation and soothing vibes.

The album begins with “Gayatri Mantra” (13:20), featuring a slow majestic sitar joined by flute and Mishra's sweet deep calm voice. The Gayatri mantra has been translated in many ways, and is used to glorify the light of the sun and to seek intelligent inspiration. The Gayatri mantra is cited widely in Vedic and post-Vedic texts. This mantra is an important part of the upanayana ceremony for young males in Hinduism, and has long been recited by dvija men (twice born, meaning first born physically and then born a second time spiritually) as part of their daily rituals.

Ganesha is a popular mythic character, portrayed often as an elephant-headed man, the God of New Beginnings, Success and Wisdom; the Remover of Obstacles. “Jai Ganesha” (7:34) brings a brisk tabla joined by sitar and chant. Ganesha brings joy and happiness to the family and may remove all the obstacles between daily life and spiritual bliss.

The album preserves a meditative pace, perfect for supporting mental tasks and moods.

“Di Ta Rana” (7:21) brings together the flute sitar and tabla with vocals, moderate pace not to fast not so slow. “Shiva Shiva Hara Shivnath” (7:30) is a meditation on Lord Shiva, the destroyer of evil, bestower of good. The name Shiva means auspiciousness, the music here presents tabla with sitar and flute behind the vocals. “Gurur Bramha” (8:25) is a salutation to the noble teacher known as Brahma Vishnu, a slow meditation framed by the instruments. “Hara Hara Mahadev” (7:03) is based on legends of Lord Shiva, also known as Mahadeva. Opens with rhythmic chanting that leads into the instruments, a stronger pace. “Bhavani Dayani” (8:28) stills the senses and allows the soul to speak, the lyrics are in praise of the divine Mother Maa Bhavani. The sitar and the flute blend like incense with the vocals.

Deobrat Mishra is the Son of Pandit Shivnath Mishra, a legend of Sitar from this Gharana, who is well known for his energetic and innovative playing style, with typical features like selectivity, melody, and rhythmic complexity.

Yoga is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines, there is no consensus on its chronology or specific origin other than that yoga developed in ancient India. Yoga in Sanskrit: योग

Mantra is the speaking of a protected or secret sound, a verbal instrument to produce something in one’s mind, usually a religious thought, prayer, sacred utterance. The earliest mantras were composed in Vedic Sanskrit in India and are at least 3500 years old. Mantra in Sanskrit: मन्त्र

Deobrat Mishra is one of India’s premiere sitar artists, and an exponent of the Benares Gharana school of Hindustani classical music. He employs a rare new technical style that is very original and unique in the sense that he plays his instrument almost in the manner of a vocal style, Benarasi Thumri, combining it with his own actual vocals in the Dhrupad and Khayal styles of singing.

Benares Gharana school employs a vocal style distinguished by how much to emphasize and how to enunciate the words. Menarasi Thrumri is a vocal style which was developed to accompany traditional dancers and a sound that allows them "to walk with dancing steps so as to make the ankle bells tinkle."

The Dhrupad singing style is the oldest major vocal style in Hindustani classical music, spiritual, heroic, thoughtful, virtuous, embedded with moral wisdom, usually in praise of Hindu deities. The Khayal singing style name comes from the word meaning "imagination" and includes ornamented ragas, with a style that calls for technical virtuosity. Khayal singing emphasizes romantic poetry, and allows greater freedom of expression than Dhrupad.

Dean Evenson has been playing flute since childhood, with an impressive history of solo and accompanied musical works. He plays from the heart and listens carefully as he blends his traditional silver and cedar instruments with the music of the moment.

The album is a classical presentation of traditional religious forms that can compliment secular activities and thoughtful times, for twilight and evening entertainment and meditation.