MUMBAI: In an initiative to bring forth the work of the legend and prolific Hindustani classical vocalist, Pandit C R Vyas, Pune based Kalavardhini Foundation launches the second and updated edition of Raag Sarita.

In his lifetime, he composed over 150 compositions, which were sung by the veterans as well as new talent in the music world currently. The compositions are created in traditional raags, some lesser known raags as well as raags that he composed. The previous edition comprised 120 compositions and the second one has additional 31 compositions, including two raags, Madhu Ambika and Sanjogiya.   

Vyas’s elder son, Suhas Vyas, who also carries forward his legacy of singing, initiated this archival project for the benefit for the new generation of musicians.  In his own words, “I was a witness to the entire process of making of Raag Sarita and have many fond memories. Previously, my father and Pandit K G Ginde, a stalwart of Indian classical music, worked on every detail of this book. I am honoured that I could contribute for the second edition and work alongside Pandit Yashwant Mahale (senior vocalist and student of Pandit S N Ratanjankar) to put this edition together. The whole idea is to make rich content available to the younger generation of musicians. The fact that my father’s compositions are sung across by many artists-senior or young, beyond his family and students, says a lot about its credibility.”

The first edition of Raag Sarita was launched in 1984 at the hands of legendary Pandit Kumar Gandharva, which was out of print for close to two decades after being sold out. The second edition will be launched on 9 February 2019 in Pune in the august presence of Tabla legend Ustad Zakir Hussain.