Shir Hodu: Jewish Songs from Bombay of the ’30s

Shir Hodu is the Hebrew for ‘Song of Praise.’ It also means ‘Song of India.’

This CD is the second in our series of remastered 78 recordings of Jewish song featuring Jewish singers and instrumentalists from Iraq and India.

Following leads for these long lost original recordings Julian Futter and Dr Sara Manasseh were able to produce this extraordinary compilation of professional recordings in the Bene Israel and Baghdadian Jewish traditions, made originally on the King, Hebrew and Jay Bharat Record labels.

Among the performers, all well-known in their communities, are Hazzanim (cantors, prayer leaders) and shofar (Ram’s horn) blowers, a meat shop owner, music school directors, and instrumental stars of the Indian cinema.

This musical link with the past has been vividly brought to life by the memories and photos of the descendants, relatives and friends of the singers and instrumentalists, gathered from across the globe.

The CD comes with a copiously illustrated 24-page booklet that will serve as a valuable source for future researchers into Indian Jewish musical traditions.

Sensitive remastering allows us to hear these recordings as they have never been heard before.