December 9, 2014 Tuesday

Jillian beat me up this morning.  I get through 3 sets with her but after Christmas decorating, I feel like I have been working out all week. What used to be easy now takes its toll.  What doesn't kill you makes you stronger has turned out to be my catch phrase.


Deuteronomy - Chapter 6  Love the Lord your God.   He loves you and like any good parent has set guidelines to follow, the ten commandments.  You can find them here.


On this day;
1998 - Nicole and I went to her Athletics award night at the middle school.  She loved basketball and got top honors for playing that year.  Just the beginning of her athletic school career. 


1994 - U.S. President Clinton fired Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders after learning that she had told a conference that masturbation should be discussed in school as a part of human sexuality.  There is a lot of topics for conversation here, with him.  lol


Parenting - Two things today.  I think extra curricular opportunities are so important to schools.  Whether it is sports, music, art or cheer, they give those youths that are not just hooked on education an  opportunity to express and involve themselves through other choices.  The other point is sex ed.  This is something that parents and their children should be allowed to set time lines on.  Some kids are ready for it in 6th grade, others are not.  It shouldn't be forced on kids that aren't prepared.  I do feel that by 9th grade they should be ready and need to hear the facts.


Gawlior India -

Music[edit]

Tansen, born in Behat, trained in music at Vrindavan, served Raja Ramchandra Waghela of Bandhawgarh, then went to Agra under the patronage of Akbar. After the death of Tansen in Fatehpur Sikri and cremation in Agra, his ashes were buried in Gwalior. Tansen Samaroh is held every year in Gwalior.
Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan is also from the royal city of Gwalior. His grandfather, Ghulam Ali Khan Bangash, became a court musician in Gwalior.

Tomb of Tansen

Gwalior holds an unparalleled reputation in Sangeet. Baijnath Prasad (alias Baiju Bawra) was a classical singer (Dhrupadiya) who lived in Gwalior for his whole life under the patronage of Man Singh. Baiju was born in Chanderi and was cremated there. He received his musical training in Brindaban under Swami Guru Haridas Ji. He was the court musician of Gwalior along with Nayak Charju, Bakshu, and others.

Amjad Ali Khan, who was born at Gwalior

Gwalior Gharana[edit]

Main article: Gwalior Gharana

The Gwalior Gharana is one of the oldest Khayal Gharanas and one to which most classical Indian musicians can trace the origin of their style. The rise of the Gwalior Gharana started with the reign of the great Mughal emperor Akbar (1542–1605). The favourite singers of this patron of the arts, such as Miyan Tansen, first amongst the vocalists at the court, came from the town of Gwalior. Gwalior has an important role in the journey of music in India, so much that every year, the Tansen Festival is celebrated at the tomb of Tansen in Gwalior.

Dhrupad[edit]

Main article: Drupad

Dhrupad (Hindi: ध्रुपद) is a vocal genre in Hindustani classical music, said to be the oldest still in use in that musical tradition. Its name is derived from the words "dhruva" (fixed) and "pada" (words). The term may denote both the verse form of the poetry and the style in which it is sung. Raja Man Singh Tomar, the King of Gwalior between 1486–1516 AD, was a patron of Dhrupad.

Tansen Sangeet Samaroh[edit]

Main article: Tansen Samaroh

The famous Tansen Sangeet Samaroh, or the Tansen Music Festival, is celebrated every year on the Tansen Tomb in Gwalior. Tansen Samaroh is a platform where artists from all over India gather and participate to deliver vocal and instrumental performances. Gwalior's environment during the festival turns mystical with melodious music echoing. Music lovers from far and wide make it a point to be a part of this event at any cost, as it is a memorable experience for them.
The Tansen Sangeet Samaroh is organised by the government of MP, in association with the Academy of the department of culture in MP.
During the festival, music lovers and artists from all over the world gather to offer their bit of tribute to the all-time music Maestro Tansen.
To date, this festival has the honour of being the only musical show in Gwalior that takes place on multiple days and nights. The academy offers honours to senior celebrities and junior artists by including them in the Samaroh through their music of performance.
Tansen was a singer of Akbar’s mughal court. An exponent of the Hindustani classical music's dhrupad style, he was counted among the Nine Jewels of the Royal Court.
In remembrance of this artist there is a tomb constructed in Gwalior called the Tansen Tomb. This is where the Tansen Music Festival or the Tansen Samaroh is organised every year. This annual music festival started in the 1930s. At present, artists from all over the country come to perform. The venue Gwalior has retained Indian traditions and the wealth of music intact over the years.
The Tansen Music Festival, or Tansen Samaroh, is held every year in the month of December.
Wow!  In time for the festival, what an opportunity!  Download some Indian music.


Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!  Happy Birthday Kim!