The India Post, 8th September, 2008 :Prof. R.C. Sobti, Vice-Chancellor, P.U. released a book titled: “Saras Rag Rang” at P.U. Campus here today. Mr. Hem Raj Chandel has written a book in a unique way on present Rag system of Music. In his book Mr. Chandel first emphasis on the importance of composition which is called ‘Bandish’ in term of Indian Classical Music.
How a person learnt Raga through composition? He gave a detail idea as how to learn to composition, how can one get elaboration way like Aalap, Taan etc. through composition and also gave a teaching method how to teach the students in various stages through composition. The title, author, publisher and price of the book is as under:-
Saras Rag Rang written by Hem Raj Chandel’Rajrang, Published by Arun Publishing House Pvt. ltd. Chandigarh, Price Rs.350/-(ISBN 978-81-8048-107-9 )
In the second part he deals with Ragas according to time theory of Raga systems in which he deals with Ragas starting from early morning tonight according to Thaat Rag system and Ragang Rag system. He took seven part called a ‘Saptak’ which means seven note of music Shadaj, Rishabh, Gandhar etc. as Bhairav, Todi, Sarang, Asawari etc.
In this part he took more than 30 Ragas, first he deals with critical study of Ragas then he gave main structure of Ragas and his self-composed Bandishes in Raga with its meaning. He concluded his book with including some self-composed new Ragas like Raswanti-Malhar, Anandi-Hamir, Madhu-Nadini, Gun-Ranjani-Kalyan under the title of ‘Tar Shadaj and ‘Shabd Sanchyan’ meaning of technical words of composition.
Mr. Hem Raj is a Research Scholar (SRF) in Dept. of Music, Panjab University,
Chandigarh perusing research under the guidance of Dr. (Mrs.) Neelam Paul. Mr. Hem Raj performed in many prestigious Musical Concerts like Vishnu Digamber Jayanti Sangeet Sammelan, Sunder Nagar, H.P. (1995, 2000, 2001), Himachal Kalakar Sangeet Sammelan Kangra H.P. (1999, 2003) & Syam Sangeet Sammelan Kullu, H.P. (2005), Wednesday recitals at ITC Sangeet Research Academy Kolkata, Lalit Narayan Mithila, University, Darbhang (2006), Hanuman Jayanti Sangeet Samaroh Agra (2007).
Mr. Hem Raj has been performing from early age and got many prizes at college level, state level and National level. He stood first in 56th Akhil Bharati Sangeet Pratiyogita organized by Prayag Sangeet Samiti –Allahabad (2005). In this competition Prof. Lal Ji Shrivastav Resarch Academy Allahabad honoured him a Gold Medal and a Natraj Idol Memento. He himself is a good composer and has composed many compositions in classical music as well as light music under the pen name “RAJRANG”.
This book has been written with the aim of providing practical and theoretical knowledge of Music in simplest and authentic way for teachers, researchers, students and music lovers.