Flavor of folk songs

The tune of the famous Hindi patriotic song, E méré vatan ké logo, zaraa aankh mé bhar lo paani… (O my countrymen, shed a tear…) has been given a new rendition by Marazban Wadia who sings in Gujarati, O Mazdayasni Bastekusti­yaano/Jaraa yaad karo kurbaani (O fellow Mazdayasnis, remember the sacrifice)… to relate in Gujarati the famous Kisseh-I Sanjan tale of Parsis fleeing Iran and landing on the shores of India. In his audio CD O Mazdayasni Bastekusti­yaano featuring Parsi religious and folk songs Wadia sings 14 of the 15 tracks, with one track Haalo Haalo Davier Gaam Jaiye (Come on, let’s proceed to Davier) sung jointly with his son Sherzad, and another O My Sweety I Love You sung exclusively by Sherzad.

For five of the songs — India Taaro Upkaar Bhoolaaynaa (We cannot forget our gratitude to India), Udvada Gaamno Mahima Gavaay (In praise of Udvada), Jagat Aakhu Jene Pooje Chhe (The world worships him), Haalo Haalo Davier Gaam Jaiye and O Spitmaan Jarthost Hamaraa (Our Lord Zarathushtra) — the lyrics too have been penned by Wadia. Three others are written by the late Dara Mehta and one each by Ervad Noshir Daboo and the late Firoze Batliwalla.

Among the folk songs included are some familiar ones like I Am An Educated Taatiya and Gora Gora Gaal (Fair cheeks) and some unusual ones not heard of before like Hoon To Saasariye Nahin Jau (I will not go to my in-laws), Kuwaaro Chheu Juvan Chheu (I am a young bachelor), Sar Jo Taaru Chakraave [a take-off on the Bollywood number Sar jo téra chakraayé (If your head is spinning).] The recording that lasts for nearly 70 minutes starts with the prayer Ashem Vohu and ends with the universal favorite Chhaiye Ame Jarthosti.

Acknowledging the "inspiration and encouragement…of Mr and Ms Marzban Giara and Mr and Ms Marazban Dara Mehta… in his maiden effort of making this music album,” Wadia also records his appreciation of Rumi Baria of Navsari who composed the music and did the sound recording, as also Cyrus T. Mistry for typesetting the songs on computer.

The CD, dedicated to the memory of Wadia’s parents Homai and Eruchshaw, is priced at Rs 150 and comes with a booklet carrying the lyrics in English. Actually the first track is the prayer and introduction by Wadia which has neither been listed in the booklet nor the CD jacket because of which the track number on the CD and the listing in the booklet do not correspond. The CD is available from Wadia, E/204, Parsi Panchayat Complex, Valbhat Road, Goregaon (E), Bombay 400063, mob: 9819880500 or 9820741400.

Parinaz M.Gandhi