Her Voice
Pandit Onkarnath Thakur once famously remarked, "Meri awaaz riyaz se kamai hui hai," emphasizing the vital role of rigorous practice (riyaz) in developing a powerful and refined voice. Similarly, Vidushi Shalmalee Joshi’s voice is a harmonious blend of natural talent and relentless dedication. Her voice, honed through years of intense practice, effortlessly spans three octaves with remarkable clarity and precision.
Shalmalee’s voice possesses a unique timbre, distinct from that of most other female vocalists, making comparisons challenging and underscoring its singularity. Her extensive training has endowed her with exceptional breath control and stamina ("dam-saans"), allowing her to sustain notes with incredible ease.
One of the most striking features of her voice is its depth in the kharaj (lower octave), which enables her to explore the profound depths of lower octave ragas such as Todi, Shree, and Puriya. Simultaneously, her command over the higher octaves makes intricate ragas like Sohini and Adana well within her reach.
A defining attribute of her vocal artistry is her precise control over shrutis (microtones), a hallmark of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana. This elusive mystery of shrutis becomes palpably real in Shalmalee’s music, where her voice seamlessly aligns with the precise microtones held in her mind. Her ability to transition smoothly between phrases and swaras, combined with the use of meend (gliding between notes), is most evident in her rendition of Raag Komal Rishabh Asavari, showcasing the pliable and agile nature of her voice. The rounded contour (golakar), a characteristic feature of the Jaipur Gharana, remains consistent across all octaves, further enhancing the richness of her sound.
While Shalmalee uses gamak sparingly, her frequent and effortless deployment of khatkas and murkis adds intricate ornamentation to her singing. The occasional surge in force and volume during a taan lends a masculine grace and power to her music, making her performances all the more captivating.
In essence, Vidushi Shalmalee Joshi’s voice is a rare and exquisite instrument, marked by unparalleled swar accuracy and depth. This extraordinary vocal quality is the result of years of sadhana (spiritual practice) and tapasya (austerity), reflecting her unwavering commitment to her art.