Shekhar Phatak is a well-known singer amongst the South Asian community in Houston area. Year around he is busy performing Bhajans and Ghazals for South Asian communities. Shekhar loves to perform for an audience but his first love is composing, arranging and recording brand new songs. Arpan which means offering, is Shekhar’s eight album and second of Hindu Devotional songs known as Bhajan. Arpan has been dedicated to his mother Mrs. Vijaya Phatak who passed away in November 2016. Shekhar received his early vocal training from her and she always encouraged him to sing original songs that are written and composed by him. Arpan is also dedicated to Dexter Raghunanan who accompanied Shekhar in many of his concerts. Dexter and Shekhar planned this album together. But Dexter passed away before they could record and finalize the Tabla tracks. Dexter's student Nitish Kulkarni, who himself is a very accomplished composer took over the responsibility and was a tremendous help in not only laying Tabla tracks for all songs but also in final mastering of the CD. The CD "Arpan" consists of 8 total tracks. The album opens with a Krishna Stuti “Namami Krishna Sundaram” - A composition from Shekhar’s school prayers. This recording was done on a special request of ex-students of C. N. Vidyalaya, Shekhar's Alma Mater. This used to be sung in chorus at his school so Shekhar has recorded his voice over 18 different tracks to create a chorus effect. Second track “Prabhu More Avagun Chitta Na Dharo” is a “Surdas” bhajan composed in Raag Megh. Third track is penned by Shekhar's poetess friend "Durga Sinha". It has a romantic touch and Shekhar has used very modern musical arrangement for this song. Shekhar plans to re-record this track in future in his wife Tejaswini's voice. The fourth upbeat track is composed in Raag Raageshree and has heavy rhythm section that includes Tabla, Dhol, Madal, Tumbi and Duff. In next two Bhajans Shekhar has experimented with modern arpigiators with traditional classical tunes to the words. Tum Meri Rakho Laaj is again a Surdas Pad composed in Raga Bairagi and Tu Dayalu Deen Ho, a Tulasi Das Bhajan is based on Raag Shiv Ranjini. Shekhar has experimented with two not commonly used Taal (Rhythm) with these two bhajans, Seven beat Tevra and Roopak for Tum Meri Rakho Laj and Twelve beat Ektaal for Tu Dayalu Deen Ho. After two experimental compositions, Shekhar presents the next bhajan in popular Bhajan style. Man Lago Mero Yaar is a Kabir bhajan composed in Raga Raageshree. The last track is a Dhun also called Kirtan "Jis Des Men" in the same Raag Raageshree. This is performed in the traditional call-and-response chanting style but with very modern orchestration. Shekhar has sung all the vocal sections and with the help of harmonizer created an effect of large choir group. For this album Shekhar had originally recorded 16 tracks. Initially the idea was to release a double album but eventually he decided to release them as two CDs. The mixing on the next bhajan CD "Sumiran" has already started. Stayed tune for the announcement.