Payoji Maine - Meera Bhajan from Chandra and David Courtney

This song is a Meera Bhajan, that is also known as "Payoji Maine Ram Ratan". However, as we were developing a way to picturise this piece, it became clear that the phrase "Payoji Maine Ram Ratan" was not as Mirabai had originally intended it. Apparently the original was "Payoiji Maine Naam Ratan". This makes more sense because Mira was known for her intense devotion to Krishna, not Ram. Although we decided to retain the lyrics of "Ram Ratan" (Jewel of Rama), we decided to picturise it in a manner that we feel is closer to Mirabai's original intent. Therefore, the images will concentrate on Krishna with only a passing allusion to Vishnu and not portray Ram at all.

More information on Mira (A.K.A. Mirabai, or Meera) may be found at:
http://www.chandrakantha.com/biodata/mira.html

More information on the bhajan may be found at:
http://www.chandrakantha.com/articles/indian_music/bhajan.html

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Payoji
• Maine
• raam
• ratan
• rathan
• meera
• meerabai
• mira
• mirabai
• bhajan
• indian
• music
• hindu
• david
• chandra
• chandrakantha

[snayakpi]

This is a song about Ram.... I wonder why it keep showing Krishna instead..... :)

[DavidCourtney123]

Very good question, read the "More Info" panel then you will see why.

Peace

David Courtney

[12347771]

I think I hear both Ma notes. 4th note of the scale both natural and raised. Perhaps it is raag Yaman Kalyan (?)

ascend is N R G M D N S' or (b d e f# a b c') descend is S' N D P M G m G R S or ( c' b a g f# e f e d c ) But the raised 4th could well be just an embellishment.

[DavidCourtney123]

This is a Bhajan rather than a strict classical rendition of a rag. I would describe it as a mishra gara. The emphasis here is on the "mishra" and not the "Gara". As such the notes very loosely imply a melodic entity rather than strictly delineating a rag.

Peace

David Courtney

[surabhisheel]

good rendition :) and love the veena and tabla...

[sonal60in]

Beautiful couple singing with their voice and instruments played so beautifully same time . Cannot imagine thedevotion they have for keeping the profession alive for so long time . I love to listen them all the time . Bless u long and healthy life .

[KumarTabla]

Very good Tabla playing! A solid Keherwa that supports the Bhajan quite well, but the laya is inconsistent, lagging in some parts. Very clear and concise understanding of the Tukras. They're played in the correct spots and support Chandraji very well. Chandraji's voice is divine, I must say. Overall, I am quite impressed with the performance. Good job!

[BubblesPothowari]

Enjoy !!!  Knowledge of music & history can rest for a while.

[arunachalagirl]

BEAUTIFUL RENDITION!

[aaibaby]

Beautifully performed :)

[DavidCourtney123]

@iamawesome007

This may come as a shock to you, but any time you do not see a microphone in a music video, it means that the music and video were shot at different times. Because of which, the sound and video do not always precisely match.

[sanjaysahay]

superb

[sundaranana]

Dear David and Chandra,

I am glad you know that the original version of the bhajan is 'payoji maine Naam ratan dhan' because that is the 'vastu amolik' that her Guru gave her. It was Tulsidas in Varanasi that initiated her as a perceptor for meditation with the Mantra. It is after this that Meera wrote this bhajan. Can you please re-record it?

I do think that this rendition and Chandraji's voice is one of the most beautiful ones of all the ones i have heard.

-Vinita

[anupamsircar]

Whoever sang the original, you have sung it better!!! And very ably accompanied on the tabla!!!

Add more!!!!!