Bandish, cheez or gat[1] is a fixed, melodic composition in Hindustani vocal or instrumental music.[2] It is set in a specific raga, performed with rhythmic accompaniment by a tabla or pakhawaj, a steady drone, and melodic accompaniment by a sarangi, violin or harmonium. There are different ways of systematizing the parts of a composition. A bandish provides the literature element in the music, for standard structured singing. In the past many gharanas protected their bandishes from moving out of the family with gross incoherent vocal renditions.[3] In the realm of vocal music, it is often known as cheez.[4]
Etymology
The word bandish is derived from the Hindustani language, and literally means "binding together".[4]
Sections
Sthāyī or Asthāyī: The initial, Rondo phrase or line of a fixed, melodic composition.
Antarā: The second body phrase or line of a fixed, melodic composition.
Sanchāri: The third body phrase or line of a fixed, melodic composition, seen more typically in Dhrupad bandishes.
Aabhog: The fourth and concluding body phrase or line of a fixed, melodic composition, seen more typically in Dhrupad bandishes.
Tempo
There are three variations of Bandish, regarding tempo:
Vilambit Bandish: A slow and steady melodic composition, usually in Largo to Adagio speeds.
Madhyalaya Bandish: A medium tempo melodic composition, usually set in Andante to Allegretto speeds.
Drut Bandish: A fast tempo melodic composition, usually set to Allegretto speed, and onwards.
Few List Bandish Compositions
| Bandish | Language | Rāg | Lay | Tāl | Composer | Singer | Remarks | Publisher / Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giridhar gopal shyam | Hindi | Bhimsen | Vilambit &Madhyalaya Bandish | Roopak | Mahesh Mahadev | Jayateerth Mevundi | Bandish on Lord Venkateshwara | PM Audios & Entertainments | [5][6][7] |
| he mhare rajendra mana mohyo | Hindi | Dhanashree | Vilambit Bandish | Trital | Vilayat Hussain Khan | Vilayat Hussain Khan | |||
| Aaj More Man Lago | Hindi | Gujri Todi | Madhyalaya Bandish | Teen | Bhimsen Joshi | Venus Worldwide Entertainment Pvt.Ltd. | [8] | ||
| Begun Gun Gave | Hindi | Gujri Todi | Drut Bandish: | Teen | Bhimsen Joshi | Venus Worldwide Entertainment Pvt.Ltd. | [8] | ||
| Ab to Badi Der Bhaila | Hindi | Bhimpalasi | Vilambit Bandish | Teen | Bhimsen Joshi | Venus Worldwide Entertainment Pvt.Ltd. | [8] | ||
| Brij Mein Dhoom Machaye Kanha | Hindi | Bhimpalasi | Drut Bandish: | Teen | Bhimsen Joshi | Venus Worldwide Entertainment Pvt.Ltd. | [8] | ||
| Dijyo Badhai Sab Mil Aaj | Hindi | Bhatiyar | Vilambit Bandish | Teen | Shankar Abhyankar | Sanjeev Abhyankar & Devaki Pandit | Fountain Music Company | [9] | |
| Man Ke Mandir Aayo Re | Hindi | Bhimsen | Drut Bandish | Teen | Mahesh Mahadev | Jayateerth Mevundi | Bandish on Lord Venkateshwara | PM Audios & Entertainments | [5][6][7][10] |
