RASA YATRA: MY JOURNEY IN MUSIC

by Mallikarjun Mansur

English
156 (B & W 12)

From the
The man they called 'the doyen of Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana' - 'the last of the purists', and more. Pt. Mallikarjun Mansur appeared to be born only to sing which he did from the tender age of 10 to the last days of his life at the age of 82. Hailing from Mansur, a hamlet near Dharwad, he trained in two of the leading gharanas - Gwalior and Jaipur - Atrauli. Panditji's gayaki was unique in that he successfully amalgamated the two gharanas and evolved a personal identity of his own.
Behind his gayaki are not just the two systems of the gharanas, but the ideational styles of three of his gurus, Pt. Neelkanthbua Alurmath of Gwalior Gharana. Ustad Manji Khan and Ustad Burji Khan of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana. He was a storehouse of apprachalit ragas, which he performed in many of his mehfils, bringing unforgettable joy to scores of listeners who recall his performances even today.
At the entreaty of his many admirers he eventually recorded his journey in music in Kannada in 1980 and called it Rasa Yatra. The book won the Best Book award in Kannada in 1984. Translated into English by his son, Pt. Rajshekhar Mauser in collaboration with his student Dr. Chandrika Kamath, it is the heartwarming story of a man who could truly be called a genius, yet remained simple to the core, considering himself not as one who had achieved something in music but as an ardent 'sadhak' of sur and laya. It is also a unique record of an essential part of the musical history of our country.
About the Author
Pt. Rajshekhar Mansur is the son of Pt. Mallikarjun Mansur and the heir to his rich musical legacy. Following in his father's august footsteps, he has carved a niche for himself in the field of music. Till recently, he was a professor of English at the Karna

Genres: Music

Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Prashanth Bhat · Rating 5 out of 5]

ನನ್ನ ರಸಯಾತ್ರೆ - ಮಲ್ಲಿಕಾರ್ಜುನ ಮನ್ಸೂರ.

ಸಂಗೀತಗಾರರೂ ಸಂಗೀತದ ಹಾಗೇ ಬರೆದ ಆತ್ಮಕಥಾನಕ ಇದು.
ಎಪ್ಪತ್ತೂ‌ ಚಿಲ್ಲರೆ ಪುಟಗಳ ಓದಿ ಮುಗಿಸಿದಾಗ ಸಂಗೀತ ಕೇಳಿದ ಅನುಭವವಾಗುವುದು ವೈಶಿಷ್ಟ್ಯ.
ತನ್ನ ಬಾಲ್ಯ,ಕಲಿಕೆಯ ಹಾದಿ,ಎದುರಿಸಿದ ಎಡರು ತೊಡರು, ಕುಟುಂಬ,ಗುರುಗಳು, ಕಾಪಾಡಿದವರು, ಸಲಹಿದವರು ,ಹಾಡಿದ ಚೀಜುಗಳು,ಕೌಟುಂಬಿಕ ಆರ್ಥಿಕ ಸಮಸ್ಯೆ, ದುಃಖ,ಸಂತೋಷ ಏನುಂಟು ಏನಿಲ್ಲ ಇಲ್ಲಿ!
ಯಾವುದೂ ಅತಿಯಿಲ್ಲ.
ಬಹುಶಃ ಎಲ್ಲವೂ ಅವನ‌‌ ಇಚ್ಛೆ ಎಂದು ಕೈ ಮುಗಿದಾಗ ಮಾತ್ರ ಇಂತಹ ಬರವಣಿಗೆ ಸಾಧ್ಯ!
ಬೇಂದ್ರೆಯವರು ಗುರುತಿಸಿದ ಹಾಗೆ
ಅವರ ಸಂಗೀತ ಕೇಳಿದಾಗ
' ಮನಸೂರೆ ಹೋಯಿತೋ
ಹೋ ಇದ್ದಕ್ಕಿದ್ದಂತೆ.
ಈ ಗೀತೆ ಹಾಡಿದುದು
ಹೊಸ ಸಪ್ನ ಬಿದ್ದಂತೆ
ಅಂತೆ, ಇಂತೆ ಎನ್ನುತ್ತಾ ಮನಮೀರಿ ನಾನಿಂತೆ.
ಕಳಚಿಬಿದ್ದಿತು ಗೆಳೆಯ
ಜಗದ ಸಂತೆಯ ಚಿಂತೆ'

ಅಭಿನವದ ಪ್ರಕಟಣೆ.

[Abhishek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a small autobiography of one of the humblest stalwarts of Hindustani Classical Music. The first edition was completely sold out and years later the 2nd edition has come out, and is on the verge of being sold out again. I am glad to have got my copy early.

I am not in a position to review the author or the translation from a literary point of view, for it won't serve any purpose. As I am trained in classical music, I know the technical terms used in the book and that helps a lot. I cannot understand why a person not interested/knowledgeable about classical music would like to read this book. Though, there could be one reason - to know how humility and discipline shaped a man into greatness. Or perhaps that someone is genuinely interested in reading biographies of musicians and artists. This is an assiduous record of a musical journey, and has now been incorporated into a film by the same name, starring the legend himself. It lets us have a peep into the dying traditions of gharana and guru-shishya parampara.

[Anil Bedge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in Kannada 'Nanna Rasa Yaatre'.

Must Read!

[Aarshin Karande · Rating 3 out of 5]

While an incredible glimpse into an era of music far gone, Mansur's biography leaves a lot to be desired. Too brief and simply stated, "Rasa Yatra" doesn't lend the reader to much insight about the workings, struggles, and insights of one of India's finest vocalists in recent memory. Though detailed with exceptional historical accounts and self-identified milestones, this book would have benefited from the subject being challenged about how and why he came to his understandings about life, himself, and music. Recommended for anyone who is interested in Indian Classical music.

[Aneesh Kakirde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good translation, despite the brevity of the book there is a lot of good information. Mansur has a very distinct voice throughout the book.

[Srivardhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many technical terms. Only those who have knowledge on Hindustani Music can understand it fully. If u skip those parts, its a wonderful and inspiring story. Don't miss this.