Through history, artistes who have left the most indelible imprints on the sands of time have been the innovators, the ones who have dared to strike their own paths, to explore possibilities, stretch the seams of what is believed to be sacrosanct and holy. Pandit Jasraj is an innovator - an artiste who will be remembered and emulated by future generations for his contributions to musical thought.

Pandit Jasraj rose to stardom in the seventies, offering a totally new approach to classicism - arresting, haunting melody, soft, velvety tonality, delicate, filigree like clusters of ornamentations, sensual languor in phrasing and an overall sheen of romanticism. It captured the imagination of a new generation of listeners who were alienated by the robustness of the classical approach.

And now, into the new millennium, Padma Vibhushan Pandit Jasraj has opened up what can be a new dimension to raga music. He has merged classical values and structures with the rich spiritual ethos and literature of India. He is doing what was done for Carnatic music many generations ago. If a future for spiritual art music emerges in India, musicians and listeners will have to remember Pandit Jasraj for being one of the significant pathfinders. He has raised the bhajan and the stotra from the level of an add-on in a classical concert to an independent musical genre, which enhances music itself and infuses life into the mystical lyrics of the past. Millions of Indians today owe their basic exposure to Sanskrit texts to Pandit Jasraj.

Pandit Jasraj's presentation in the morning session of Swarutsav 2003 was an experience in divine fervour. The maestro has a gift for raising the energy of a space gradually, delicately, into a swaying crescendo of devout passion. He dedicated the session to compositions in praise of Krishna.

'Govind Damodar' is one of Pandit Jasraj's most popular devotional creations, in praise of the Sampoorna Avatara of Mahavishnu. Sri Krishna is the energy, which sustains us today. His Being is merged with the Bhagavad Mahapurana and continues to sustain the manifest world. He is Divinity in human form and humanity expressed in the most divine form. All colours of life find expression in him, He is omnipotent, omniscient. He is Vishwarupa.

'Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya' is one of Pandit Jasraj's most celebrated devotional renditions. 'Govindam Gokulanandam' is an excerpt from Harinamamalastotram - literally a garland of names of Hari - Vishnu.

'Rani Tero Chirjeeyo Gopal' is a moving bhajan, which Pandit Jasraj has rendered with serene elegance and beauty. The bhajan by Surdas on Lord Krishna's childhood is one of the most unique compositions of the artiste.

Recorded live by Deepak Samson and Pratik Biswas on 19th October 2003 at India Today Swarutsav, New Delhi.