Gujaratna geeto

"The philanthropic Parsi community needs to encourage its artistes,” urged renowned ghazal singer Soli Kapadia while releasing singer Jamshed Kotwal’s album of popular Gujarati songs, Geeto Garvee Gujaratna at a function on January 31, 2010 at the Alexandra Girls’ English Institution in Bombay, community historian Marzban Giara informed Parsiana via e-mail.

Present along with Kapadia, who was the chief guest that evening, was Rati Peshotan Peer, the enthusiastic octogenarian community activist who told the audience, "Music is the language of the soul and brings joy to life. Youths Own Union (YOU) founded in 1945 has been the cradle of budding Parsi music lovers (and) meets on Tuesday evening at Bharda School at 6.30 p.m.” Kirtankar Pervez Katrak and music director Bahadur Nanji also graced the occasion. Kotwal sang the melodies and had the audience swinging to the lilting music, Giara writes.

(From l): Jamshed Kotwal, Soli Kapadia, Ratamai Peer and Armaity Tirandaz at launch; (below) cover of the cassette

Geeto Garvee Gujaratna is Kotwal’s third CD, the earlier ones being Ame Parsi, Ame Great and Rangilo Parsi, Chhabilo Parsi. The latter two CDs comprise devotional and comic folk songs, while the newest one is a collection of decades old songs such as Taree ankhno afini, O neel gaganna pankheru, Pankhida ne aa pinjru and Hu Ahmedavadno Rikshavaalo. Rumi Baria of Uranus Digital Studio in Navsari is responsible for the musical track and recording. The project has been supported by The World Zoroastrian Organisation Trust Funds, India through Dinshaw K. Tamboly.

Priced at Rs 125, the CD is available from Kotwal who may be contacted on his mobile: 9892110325, Giara concludes.