MUMBAI:The journey began when His Highness Maharaj Brajraj Singh of Kishangarh stumbled upon some rare recordings by his father of Darbar music of the mid 1900’s. After two years of toil, he now presents Rare Darbar Music of Kishangarh, the first CD in an edition of four, for the listening pleasure of music aficionados.

The music CD was released by His Highness Maharaj Brajraj Singh of Kishangarh during the launch function held at Royal Fables Edition Four at The Imperial, New Delhi.

Like many regions with a rich erstwhile identity, Kishangarh has always had a rich musical history. As early as  the 17th century, His Highness’ ancestors not only composed and wrote verses in praise of Shri Kalyan Raiji, but also set to classical and semi classical  music, songs which are till today sung in Rajasthan during festive occasions.

HH Maharaj Brajraj Singh ji: “This CD has been a labour of love. I have digitalised my late father's private collection of Rajasthani music. As a child I remember many a day seeing him record on his Grundig spool tape recorder various singers in our home Manjhela Palace, in Kishangarh”

In this first CD are 11 songs sung by Lalita Bai who was a famous singer of Kishangarh. From the early 1950's she sang melodiously especially for festivals, occasions and ceremonies. The essence of an era can be experienced in her lyrical renderings.

About the Singer

Lalita Bai, with her older siblings Birji Bai, Nathu Lal and the youngest Amar Lal, began schooling in the art of traditional Rajasthani music from a very nascent age.

The children were blessed to a talented father, Devi Lal, who under orders of Maharaja Madan Singh of Kishangarh (1900 – 1926) got the coveted tutelage of the renowned maestro of Hindustani classical music, Shri V D Paluskar.  This was a time when there were other shishyas like OmkarNath Thakur, Vinayak Rao Patwardhan and D V Paluskar, getting trained too.

Lalita Bai was fortunate to find a dedicated patron in Maharaja Sumer Singh (1939 – 1971), who was the grandson of M. Madan Singh. Shebegan her journey performing with her family as kirtanyas in the royal temple of Kalyaan Raiji, a swaroop of Srinathjiin the Kishangarh Fort.