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A legend that walked the earth passes away.
Not sure how many of you had the opportunity of interacting with the man behind the maestro.
35 yrs back I had a brief but indelible exchange with him.
It was mid 80s. A music appreciation group had invited Panditji to Bhopal.
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Not sure how many of you had the opportunity of interacting with the man behind the maestro.
35 yrs back I had a brief but indelible exchange with him.
It was mid 80s. A music appreciation group had invited Panditji to Bhopal.
1/n
It was a small gathering of people who profess to appreciate classical music at Bhopal’s Ravindra Natya Grih. Half actually did, the other half thought it fashionable to attend the concert.
A friend from the organisers persuaded me to design an exhibition on Panditji’s life.
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A friend from the organisers persuaded me to design an exhibition on Panditji’s life.
2/n
With zero wherewithal and no budget I set about doing it and could make it reasonably presentable.
When Panditji reached the venue, he was pleasantly surprised.
I was introduced to him and he was full of praises.
I took it as a generous elder encouraging a young man.
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When Panditji reached the venue, he was pleasantly surprised.
I was introduced to him and he was full of praises.
I took it as a generous elder encouraging a young man.
3/n
Around 9.30 when the organisers realised that the audience strength would not cross 250/300 people, they dimmed the light and invited Panditji to begin his performance.
As is wont to happen with classical, the first hour or so went into the build up.
By 10.30 pm
4/n
As is wont to happen with classical, the first hour or so went into the build up.
By 10.30 pm
4/n
more audience thinned out leaving only the aficionados.
Thats when Panditji came into his own. Next 3 hours were exquisite, enthralling classical music.
People ran out of applause.
Panditji warned:
Now I have more people on the stage than the audience, you better clap loud!
5/n
Thats when Panditji came into his own. Next 3 hours were exquisite, enthralling classical music.
People ran out of applause.
Panditji warned:
Now I have more people on the stage than the audience, you better clap loud!
5/n
With barely 30 odd people left, Panditji performed till 1.30 am.
It was like a personal gathering. Finally, as the concert wound up, the organisers realised they had only 2 cars to ferry the performers back.
Embarrassing indeed.
Panditji asked his instruments & accompanists
6/n
It was like a personal gathering. Finally, as the concert wound up, the organisers realised they had only 2 cars to ferry the performers back.
Embarrassing indeed.
Panditji asked his instruments & accompanists
6/n
to be taken back first. The rest of us hung around. We had some 2 wheelers. I had a grand old TVS50.
Panditji spotted me in group and walked up.
Chaliye, hum chalte hain, he said.
I protested Panditji I’ve only this moped.
He laughed, pulled up his dhoti and hopped behind.
7/n
Panditji spotted me in group and walked up.
Chaliye, hum chalte hain, he said.
I protested Panditji I’ve only this moped.
He laughed, pulled up his dhoti and hopped behind.
7/n
Chaliye, chaliye he said to my protests.
If you know Bhopal you would know the steep incline from Ravindra Natya Grih to New Market.
Ecstatic me with Panditji on pillion going uphill on a sputtering moped. A few 2 wheelers stringing along as escorts to our mopedcade...
8/n
If you know Bhopal you would know the steep incline from Ravindra Natya Grih to New Market.
Ecstatic me with Panditji on pillion going uphill on a sputtering moped. A few 2 wheelers stringing along as escorts to our mopedcade...
8/n
When we reached the destination he insisted I join him for dinner.
I was awe struck with his spontaneity, humility & graciousness.
Whenever Pandit Jasraj is talked of, this is one anecdote I never fail to share.
The world is poorer without you Panditji. May you find Moksh.
I was awe struck with his spontaneity, humility & graciousness.
Whenever Pandit Jasraj is talked of, this is one anecdote I never fail to share.
The world is poorer without you Panditji. May you find Moksh.
