Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], March 13: Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated ‘Raagopnishad’ and its musical Album in Mumbai recently under the auspices of Jain acharya Shri Vijaykalptarusuriji Maharaja, at the start of the devotional music evening. This great scripture is a compilation of ancient Jain devotional songs that are based on classical music.
For this event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had sent a message, “India has had advanced traditions of music for centuries. Devotional poets have created unforgettable poetry through the usage of Classical ragas and knowledge of music. Created by ancestral munis and compiled by Acharya Bhagwant Shri Vijaytirthbhadrasuriji Maharaja, ‘Raagopnishad’, a scripture containing various ‘ragamalas’ was published. The book contains detailed information about classical ragas, pictured descriptions of various instruments, images of ragas that were extracted from ancient manuscripts, and examples of verses in the language of the Middle Ages to give a detailed introduction of ragas. All of this makes it invaluable and rich with knowledge. This book that has been compiled through profound studies and research, will become a good memory for every music lover.”
For this event, the state minister of home Harsh Sanghvi of Gujarat and the cabinet minister of Maharashtra, Mangalprabhat Lodha were present as special guests.
In this scripture, 958 creations of various poets have been given a place. It also contains 126 classical ragas which were extinct, based on ancient handwritten manuscripts.
Some of those ragas were famous about 2,500 years ago. In this book, about 90 coloured pictures have been added, which represent different ragas.
Also, it contains introductions of 150 musical instruments which have been in use since ancient eras. Pictures of those instruments are also included.
At that time, reverend acharya Vijaytirthbhadrasuriji Maharaja, who is the compiler of ‘Raagopnishad’, had chanted auspicious verses and said that, “When paramaatma Mahaveer Swami Bhagwan would give his deshna (speech) in Maalkonsh raga, while being seated in the samavasaran (a structure created by devas); at that time, even the rock-hard hearts of the present humans would melt down and tears would start flowing. Such is the strength of ragas and music.”
Acharya bhagwant had also said, that to attain Godhood, religious shastras have mentioned various methods like knowledge, practice, meditation, and devotion are needed. Classical music and devotion play a big part in awakening the soul’s various forms like sat, mind, and joy. Even modern science has proved that music can cure many diseases like cancer. Music not only affects humans, but also affects animals and plants. When the king of music Taansen would sing, flower buds inside the garden would bloom into flowers. When Taansen would sing the Todi raga, deer would be attracted over from the forest.
In the creation of this musical album, the great effort taken up by Dr. Bharat Balvalli, who is an expert of classic music, is praise worthy.
Akhil Bhartiya Gandharv Mahavidyalaya has decided to add this ‘Raagopnishad’ book to their curriculum.
In the end, acharya bhagwant said that “Our task was successful only because of the grace of reverend sovereign Gachchhdhipati acharya Shri Vijaykalptarusuriji Maharaja.”
For this event, 6 acharya bhagwant and about 100 reverend sadhu/sadhviji bhagwant were present.
Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis said while inaugurating ‘Raagopnishad’, “It is my pleasure that I get the opportunity to present such a book and music album to the people; which has revitalized the ancient extinct ragas from India. The birth of classical music in India happened with Samaveda. The lines of Samaveda were created in a way that they could be turned into classical ragas.”
Devendra Fadnavis said that, “Politicians who do Rajaniti and musicians who do Raganiti , both have the motive of benefitting the public. Music has the power of healing the diseases of body and mind. You sing the Yaman Kalyan raga, and we do jankalyan (helping the people). “Raagopnishad” will prove to be a new Upanishad in the sector of ragas.”
Famous musician Swaradhish Dr. Bharat Balvalliis behind this musical effort. He is a famous person in the field of Indian classical music. In the musical album of Raagopnishad, the most influential and famous classical musicians have been presented namely, Ustad Rashid Khan, Pandit Ulkas Kashalkar, Suresh Wadkar, Sonu Nigam, Shankar Mahadevan, Jaspindar Narula, Javed Ali, Kaushiki Chakravarti, Dr. Ashwini Bhide, Pandit Venktesh Kumar, Pandit Shaunka Abhisheki, Pandit Raghunandan Panshikar, Pandit Ram Deshpande, Osman Mir, Falguni Pathak, Rahul Deshpande, Devaki Pandit, Pandit Jayatirth Mevundi, Aarti Ankalikar, Pandit Aanand Bhate and Pandit Sanjiv Abhyankar.
In the musical evening organized on Saturday to inaugurate ‘Raagopnishad’, Dr. Bharat Balvalli, Padmashri singer Ashwini Bhide Joshi, Pandit Aanand Bhate, Pandit Jayatirth Mevundi, Shrimati Manjushri Patil and Amit Paadhyesoaked thousands music lovers with devotion through their music. At that time, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis conferred the award of ‘Naaddev Paramhans’ on Dr. Bharat Balvalli.
