Kathak Ensemble-Saraswati Vandana 1968

Pt. Birju Maharaj recorded the Saraswati Vandana for me in 1968, so that I would be able to practice and perform it when I returned to the United States. On the day reserved for the recording session, Maharaji arrived at the Sangeet Natak Akademi recording studio, located in the Rabindra Bhavan, Mandi House, and he had a terrible head cold. I wondered how the recording could possibly proceed with any success. Adding to the problematic situation, the electricity kept shutting down, and so the air conditioning also shut off and the instruments contnually went out of tune. But Maharaji, always a professional who accomplishes the task at hand, came through with this beautifully simple recording.
THE SHLOK:
या कुन्देन्दुतुषारहारधवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता ।
या वीणावरदण्डमण्डितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना ॥
या ब्रह्माच्युतशंकरप्रभृतिभिर्देवै: सदा वन्दिता ।
सा मां पातु सरस्वती भगवती नि:शेषजाड्यापहा ॥
THE TRANSLITERATION & TRANSLATION by Janaki Patrik, July 2004
1.Ya kund endu tushar har dhavala- she who is white like the lotus, moon, a garland made from dew/snow
2. ya shubhra vastra avrita - she who is clothed in shining white garments
3. ya veena vara danda madita kara - she whose hand holds the pluck for the veena
4. ya shweta padma asana - she who sits in the pure white lotus position
[I have assumed this asana in the photos which are shown during this TH-cam video, and
which are danced in Pt. Birju Maharaj's choreography for the SARASWATI VANDANA.]
5. ya Brahma, Achhyuta, Shankara, prabhritee devo sada vandita - she whom Brahma, Vishnu (he who does not fall), Shiva and all the other gods and goddesses always praise
6. sa ma patu, Saraswati, Bhagavati - may Sarasvati, Bhagavati protect me
7. nishesh jadya aapaha - she who completely removes ignorance (delusion)
Photo (c) Grace Sutton
Janaki Patrik, Founder & Artistic Director, The Kathak Ensemble & Friends