PUKAR (Calling you) 1992 - Last Minute Productions
Produced by Najma and music arranged by Najma’s long time bass player, John Deemer, Pukar is seen as a natural progression from the previous albums. This album explored styles of improvisation raga, Geet and different musical themes associated with Indian culture with light jazz influences and other western instrumentation and arrangements. For example the Indian wedding themes, where one has the joy and happiness of the Heena (Mehndi) ceremonies, ‘Jhoomo Gao’, and then the sorrow of the Bidai (brides departure as she leaves her home for a new one), ‘Baabul’, so the moods and lyrics are quite different. Another change from the usual was to use the normal intro Alaap at the end of the Ghazal instead of the beginning as on the track ‘Jheel mai Chand’. This album also explores new instrumentation coming from Persian, Indian and African origins. The shenai (Indian Horn instrument), oud (Persian stringed instrument) and the African marimba sound, together with Indian vocals, once again based on the Ghazal added another new dimension.
"Pukar, Najma's follow-up to her world music breakthrough Atish, is every bit as enchanting and splendid as its predecessor, displaying her ability to make Indian music accessible for Western audiences without diluting its essence."
All Music Guide
“Recommended are Pukar and Qareeb if you like to be transported by the rapturous and seductive tones of a gal who really ought to know better. What untold damage could be visited upon the hearts and minds of us gullible and Western fools? I don't suppose she does it on purpose, but be warned: dollars depart from wallets as she Plants her soul on the Pages of your bank account.”
Ian Anderson
Her music has the passion of a raging fire. In Pukar, Najma’s is at her best. The melody in almost all the songs is essentially classical and her voice, now more mellifluous that ever before, brings to each song a romantic tone.
Jai Kumar, DJ Magazine
"Pukar, Najma's follow-up to her world music breakthrough Atish, is every bit as enchanting and splendid as its predecessor, displaying her ability to make Indian music accessible for Western audiences without diluting its essence."
All Music Guide
“Recommended are Pukar and Qareeb if you like to be transported by the rapturous and seductive tones of a gal who really ought to know better. What untold damage could be visited upon the hearts and minds of us gullible and Western fools? I don't suppose she does it on purpose, but be warned: dollars depart from wallets as she Plants her soul on the Pages of your bank account.”
Ian Anderson
Her music has the passion of a raging fire. In Pukar, Najma’s is at her best. The melody in almost all the songs is essentially classical and her voice, now more mellifluous that ever before, brings to each song a romantic tone.
Jai Kumar, DJ Magazine