Intriguing! The path one's life takes, after one has allowed passion to take over one's life!
My journey with the world of music has been sprinkled with joys and surprises, not to forget the occasional pain.....
From being seated in a Rs 20/- spot, I, over time made it to the stage, 'an untrained musician'! As an accompanying artiste....a Tanpura player to the likes of Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Pt Jasraj, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Dr Balamurali Krishna, Kala Ramnath, Rakesh Chaurasia, Rupak Kulkarni.....
For posterity, many music albums have my name in the credits as Tanpura accompanist...
I have also had the privilege of being the MC for many concerts, those of Smt Kishori Amonkar, Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma, Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia.....
Then began a journey very close to my heart.... I was given an opportunity to combine 2 of my passions - music and writing! What began as an inspiration, having been invited to hear his partly-recorded semi-classical album, Sonu Niigaam believed in me and asked me to do the sleevenotes for 'Classically Mild'! Having impressed Saregama, the record company, I was offered many more albums...over 35 to date! And in each of these, I have been given the credit, 'Sleevenotes by Geetha Balsaara'!
Over the last weekend, yet another gauntlet was thrown my way. Sonu Niigaam, having visited Michael Jackson's home soon after the legend passed away, was inspired to dedicate a song to MJ. Sonuji invited all on his fan page on facebook, to contribute to the lyrics. I was curious to test my skills and penned a few lines. Sonuji's response was 'Awesome Geethaji...nice poem..but am looking for a song'
The next 2 hours were spent on the net studying 'how to pen lyrics for a song'. Great learning there... I found myself writing afresh, now with a song structure in mind... Sonuji was thrilled and applauded me for the effort...but yet the task master wasn't satisfied! I went back to the drawing board and finally emerged as one of the 4 'lyricists' that have been shortlisted. I don't know what lies ahead...but for Sonuji to've even brought me to this point, makes it a proud moment for me!
And as most of you already know, today 'music' is my profession, albeit as an event & artiste manager!
Challenges in life ready you for immortality!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Michael Jackson - Gone too soon!
The King of Pop; The King of Entertainment
The power of his music coupled with his 'eccentricities' have made him a legend, leaving his indelible mark in the annals of the 'HIStory'of Music!
'Gone too soon', his tribute to Ryan, a 14 year old AIDS victim, ironically conveys our own sentiments today! A very 'unlike' Jackson number..
http://www.videocure.com/myvideo.php
Like a comet
Blazing 'cross the evening sky
Gone too soon
Like a rainbow
Fading in the twinkling of an eye
Gone too soon
Shiny and sparkly
And splendidly bright
Here one day
Gone one night
Like the loss of sunlight
On a cloudy afternoon
Gone too soon
Like a castle
Built upon a sandy beach
Gone too soon
Like a perfect flower
That is just beyond your reach
Gone too soon
Born to amuse
To inspire to delight
Here one day
Gone one night
Like a sunset
Dying with the rising of the moon
Gone too soon
Gone too soon
Bye MJ, we’l all miss you very much!
Good bye!
I received this sad news early this morning from Sonu Niigaam.....
In his words,
'Michael Jackson becomes one with the Universe. At least now the world will give him his due. Prayers.'
Rakesh Chaurasia says:
'This is the biggest loss to the world of pop Music'
Abhijit Pohankar says:
'That's the saddest news one can get. I was his biggest fan'
MJ - R.I.P!
The power of his music coupled with his 'eccentricities' have made him a legend, leaving his indelible mark in the annals of the 'HIStory'of Music!
'Gone too soon', his tribute to Ryan, a 14 year old AIDS victim, ironically conveys our own sentiments today! A very 'unlike' Jackson number..
http://www.videocure.com/myvideo.php
Like a comet
Blazing 'cross the evening sky
Gone too soon
Like a rainbow
Fading in the twinkling of an eye
Gone too soon
Shiny and sparkly
And splendidly bright
Here one day
Gone one night
Like the loss of sunlight
On a cloudy afternoon
Gone too soon
Like a castle
Built upon a sandy beach
Gone too soon
Like a perfect flower
That is just beyond your reach
Gone too soon
Born to amuse
To inspire to delight
Here one day
Gone one night
Like a sunset
Dying with the rising of the moon
Gone too soon
Gone too soon
Bye MJ, we’l all miss you very much!
Good bye!
I received this sad news early this morning from Sonu Niigaam.....
In his words,
'Michael Jackson becomes one with the Universe. At least now the world will give him his due. Prayers.'
Rakesh Chaurasia says:
'This is the biggest loss to the world of pop Music'
Abhijit Pohankar says:
'That's the saddest news one can get. I was his biggest fan'
MJ - R.I.P!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
My Secret!
Today, am tempted to share a secret... The secret of what music does to me!
As I’ve confessed, am not a trained musician. I do not understand the grammar! All I know is, the music I listen to gets leveraged to great heights, the moment it touches a chord in me! A spiritual chord… Music to me is alchemy! From the deep vales of emotional disturbances, I soar to levels of sheer intoxication and fresh revelations.
Music has been a companion through the best and the most trying periods of my life. The silent strength one imbibes through music makes itself known only when life throws you a monstrous challenge. A situation that raises its ugly hood, instilling fear beyond any sense of comprehension. It was at such a time, I was made aware of the silent powers of music.
The sudden passing away of my husband brought life to a standstill. The impact of such an unexpected shock could have damaged me beyond recognition. Strangely, at that moment a super human power overtook me and enabled me to conduct myself with serenity and peace, much to the bewilderment of onlookers. The general impression most had was, I’d slipped into shock and was unaware of the seriousness of the situation. My calm handling with a presence of mind going beyond human realms in the given situation, strengthened my unwavering faith in an unseen power.
Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma the Santoor maestro, made an interesting observation and credited this courage to my close association with music over the years!
He made me realize the true Power of Music!
As I’ve confessed, am not a trained musician. I do not understand the grammar! All I know is, the music I listen to gets leveraged to great heights, the moment it touches a chord in me! A spiritual chord… Music to me is alchemy! From the deep vales of emotional disturbances, I soar to levels of sheer intoxication and fresh revelations.
Music has been a companion through the best and the most trying periods of my life. The silent strength one imbibes through music makes itself known only when life throws you a monstrous challenge. A situation that raises its ugly hood, instilling fear beyond any sense of comprehension. It was at such a time, I was made aware of the silent powers of music.
The sudden passing away of my husband brought life to a standstill. The impact of such an unexpected shock could have damaged me beyond recognition. Strangely, at that moment a super human power overtook me and enabled me to conduct myself with serenity and peace, much to the bewilderment of onlookers. The general impression most had was, I’d slipped into shock and was unaware of the seriousness of the situation. My calm handling with a presence of mind going beyond human realms in the given situation, strengthened my unwavering faith in an unseen power.
Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma the Santoor maestro, made an interesting observation and credited this courage to my close association with music over the years!
He made me realize the true Power of Music!
Friday, June 19, 2009
A legend moves on!!
Ustad Ali Akbar Khan! The 'Sarod' will never sound the same again! A colossus in the world of Indian Classical Music, his phenomenal presence touched generations across 5 decades!
A Padma Bhushan and a Padma Vibhushan recipient, Khansaheb had been designated a 'Living National Treasure' in India.
My journey with Indian classical music brought me opportunities of personal interaction with the legend. One of the earliest memories I have of him is of a concert at the Shanmukhanand Hall, Mumbai. He was accompanied by Ustad Alla Rakha, yet another name this country is proud of. The music being created that evening was sheer magic!
During one of my visits to the US of A, I was accompanying Pt Jasraj. Panditji was scheduled to've a concert at Khansaheb's Music School in California. When we got there, I was introduced to Khansaheb who very lovingly took me by my hand and gave me a personal tour of the entire Ali Akbar College of Music. We exchanged notes on a number of topics and I was overwhelmed by the attention being meted out to me! I was also introduced to his lovely wife Mary, who sat us down very graciously to some tea! My hands were trembling with a mix of excitement and slight nervousness as I brought the cup to my lips. 'Chai' with the legendary maestro is definitely not everybody's cuppa tea!
That evening, even as I played the Tanpura, I was privileged to share the stage with Pandit Jasraj and Ustad Zakir Hussain while Ustad Ali Akbar Khan witnessed the performance! What a blessed evening that was for me!
We, the music aficionados of the world will miss Khansaheb greatly!
May his soul rest in peace! May his music remain eternal!
A Padma Bhushan and a Padma Vibhushan recipient, Khansaheb had been designated a 'Living National Treasure' in India.
My journey with Indian classical music brought me opportunities of personal interaction with the legend. One of the earliest memories I have of him is of a concert at the Shanmukhanand Hall, Mumbai. He was accompanied by Ustad Alla Rakha, yet another name this country is proud of. The music being created that evening was sheer magic!
During one of my visits to the US of A, I was accompanying Pt Jasraj. Panditji was scheduled to've a concert at Khansaheb's Music School in California. When we got there, I was introduced to Khansaheb who very lovingly took me by my hand and gave me a personal tour of the entire Ali Akbar College of Music. We exchanged notes on a number of topics and I was overwhelmed by the attention being meted out to me! I was also introduced to his lovely wife Mary, who sat us down very graciously to some tea! My hands were trembling with a mix of excitement and slight nervousness as I brought the cup to my lips. 'Chai' with the legendary maestro is definitely not everybody's cuppa tea!
That evening, even as I played the Tanpura, I was privileged to share the stage with Pandit Jasraj and Ustad Zakir Hussain while Ustad Ali Akbar Khan witnessed the performance! What a blessed evening that was for me!
We, the music aficionados of the world will miss Khansaheb greatly!
May his soul rest in peace! May his music remain eternal!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
A brush with a Mangeshkar!
Radha Mangeshkar, the talented 3rd generation singer, Pt Hridaynathji's daughter! Following the launch of her recent album, 'Naav Majhe Shaami', the enthusiastic Yojanaji from Saregama (HMV)invited me yesterday to interview and moderate Radhaji's interaction with music lovers at Rhythm House as part of the promotional package. I was thrilled and looked forward to the experience. Gaurav Bangia, an extremely gifted singer and a dear friend accompanied me and participated in the exercise. It was interesting to watch one artiste interview another. The observations and insights are unusual!
Radhaji is a wonderful, young lady with feet planted firmly on terra firma. With no airs about her famous surname, she chatted as any other friend. Spoke about her growing up years and the experience of being born a 'Mangeshkar'! She is a post-grad in Indian Philosophy. To my query about an alternate career beyond music, she shyly responded, 'Teaching'! Soft spoken and genteel, Radha has her own distinctive voice with a texture far different from the ones currently heard. Drawing inspiration from Noor Jehan (besides the family members), Radha is a fresh name to reckon with on the musical horizon.
We wish her a long and enriching musical journey!
Radhaji is a wonderful, young lady with feet planted firmly on terra firma. With no airs about her famous surname, she chatted as any other friend. Spoke about her growing up years and the experience of being born a 'Mangeshkar'! She is a post-grad in Indian Philosophy. To my query about an alternate career beyond music, she shyly responded, 'Teaching'! Soft spoken and genteel, Radha has her own distinctive voice with a texture far different from the ones currently heard. Drawing inspiration from Noor Jehan (besides the family members), Radha is a fresh name to reckon with on the musical horizon.
We wish her a long and enriching musical journey!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Stuff dreams are made of!
January 26, 1992 - A nationwide announcement is made proclaiming the Padma award winners for the year. On the list is Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, a Padma Bhushan awardee. I was one of the many friends/well-wishers to congratulate him.
Soon after, I was accepted as a part of the Chaurasia family and was given the honor of managing his correspondence, concert enquiries, ticket bookings, etc. My first lesson in ‘Artiste Management’!
Sometime in February/March a letter arrived from the Home Ministry intimating Panditji of the date of the award ceremony, 6 April!
One of the interesting aspects of a Padma award ceremony is the rehearsal that is conducted at the venue, the Rashtrapati Bhavan a couple of days prior to the actual ceremony. The date that year for the same was 4 April.
As luck would have it, Panditiji had a prior commitment for a concert in Paris for the same day. He asked me to respond to the letter saying he would not be present at the same but would ensure being there on the 6th. He also indicated that Geetha Balsaara would represent him at the rehearsal!!!
Well, Panditji’s request was accepted and I, Geetha Balsaara was to legally ‘impersonate’ Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi!
On April 3, even as Mrs Anuradha Chaurasia boarded an airplane from Bombay, I did the same from Indore where I was for a business meeting. We arrived in New Delhi and were escorted to Hotel Janpath.
On the morning of the 4th, we drove down to the majestic Rashtrapati Bhavan which I had only viewed from the outside on one of my visits to the city a decade ago. As we got to the Ashoka Hall, I was led to the seat marked ‘Pt Chaurasia’, while Mrs Chaurasia took her seat in the audience. Every ‘original’ awardee was present and seated just as the proceedings began.
Each awardee’s name is called out and he/she is expected to walk over the red carpet leading to the President, greet his Highness, accept the award and return to his/her seat. The only difference being, at the rehearsal it is a dummy President! Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia! Suddenly all eyes turn towards this young lady walking down the red carpet. If only those present could hear my heart pounding away, they’d have wondered how Panditji’s name was being accompanied by the rhythmic ‘lub dub’ of a human heart!
Having finished with the ceremony, all the awardees are expected to move into the inner hall for a high tea ceremony with the President. Yes, the rehearsal also included this bit and the ‘chai’ being served was real! At this ‘chai’ session, I was ‘assaulted’ by many enquiring after Panditji. One of the interesting encounters I had was with Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee who was then the Padma Vibhushan awardee. He came up to me and jocularly said ‘hame nahin pata tha ke duplicate ko bheja ja sakta hai’ to which I humbly replied ‘main Panditji ki duplicate bilkul nahin hoon, Main to sirf unki bhakth hoon jisko yeh mauka diya gaya hai’!
Soon after the tea session we were asked to gather in the beautiful Moghul garden on the rear side of the Rashtrapati Bhavan for a photography session. Each awardee was assigned his/her position for the ‘real’ session to be held soon after the ‘real’ award ceremony.
6 April, early hours, New Delhi airport. Mrs Chaurasia and I receive Panditji and drive back to the hotel to dress for ‘the’ ceremony. Even as Panditji was shaving I felt it was my duty to ‘impart’ the knowledge I’d imbibed as a dummy awardee! He was amused by my entire account and kept reassuring me that he’d do just fine. Seeing that mischievous look on his face made me question myself as to how difficult would it be for someone capable of making the ‘Bansuri’ sing, to just follow the actions of the previous recipient! To him, this entire exercise was to give me an experience of a lifetime! A memory so deeply etched, that even 17 years later I vividly recall each frame and construct the happenings of that day as it unfolded!
We arrived at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and took our seats, me adjacent to Mrs Chaurasia, now in the audience! Even as all the awardees took their seats my eyes scanned the entire space to assure myself of it all being real! Just as my eyes swept across the faces present, I noticed a face, beyond which my eyes refused to move! Mr Amitabh Bachchan!! He was there accompanying Smt Jaya Bachchan, a Padma awardee herself.
My growing up years associated Hindi films with only one entity, Mr Amitabh Bachchan! And here he was in flesh and blood!
Soon after the award function, we moved to the area for high tea. The President, Shri R.Venkatraman came around and met each one present. No doubt it was a privileged moment for me but I was extremely distracted by those penetrating eyes from across the room! My Idol, my God, was just a few feet away….I became adamant (a trait Panditji hadn’t experienced until then) refusing to move out of there until a formal introduction was made. God was on my side and I noticed both, Mr and Mrs Bachchan gravitate towards Panditji. My heart raced faster and I clutched on to an invisible power, lest I lose consciousness. Panditji was gracious enough to introduce me. One of those rare moments when the decision of joining palms in a Namaskar vis-à-vis extending palm for a handshake became a life and death situation…how could I let go of an opportunity to ‘touch’ my God!
In retrospect, that must’ve been one of my clumsiest greetings to date!
The wealth I came back with could not have been stacked away in any locker or treasure chest. It was deposited in my memory bank account and each time I take a dip there, I come back enriched!
Soon after, I was accepted as a part of the Chaurasia family and was given the honor of managing his correspondence, concert enquiries, ticket bookings, etc. My first lesson in ‘Artiste Management’!
Sometime in February/March a letter arrived from the Home Ministry intimating Panditji of the date of the award ceremony, 6 April!
One of the interesting aspects of a Padma award ceremony is the rehearsal that is conducted at the venue, the Rashtrapati Bhavan a couple of days prior to the actual ceremony. The date that year for the same was 4 April.
As luck would have it, Panditiji had a prior commitment for a concert in Paris for the same day. He asked me to respond to the letter saying he would not be present at the same but would ensure being there on the 6th. He also indicated that Geetha Balsaara would represent him at the rehearsal!!!
Well, Panditji’s request was accepted and I, Geetha Balsaara was to legally ‘impersonate’ Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi!
On April 3, even as Mrs Anuradha Chaurasia boarded an airplane from Bombay, I did the same from Indore where I was for a business meeting. We arrived in New Delhi and were escorted to Hotel Janpath.
On the morning of the 4th, we drove down to the majestic Rashtrapati Bhavan which I had only viewed from the outside on one of my visits to the city a decade ago. As we got to the Ashoka Hall, I was led to the seat marked ‘Pt Chaurasia’, while Mrs Chaurasia took her seat in the audience. Every ‘original’ awardee was present and seated just as the proceedings began.
Each awardee’s name is called out and he/she is expected to walk over the red carpet leading to the President, greet his Highness, accept the award and return to his/her seat. The only difference being, at the rehearsal it is a dummy President! Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia! Suddenly all eyes turn towards this young lady walking down the red carpet. If only those present could hear my heart pounding away, they’d have wondered how Panditji’s name was being accompanied by the rhythmic ‘lub dub’ of a human heart!
Having finished with the ceremony, all the awardees are expected to move into the inner hall for a high tea ceremony with the President. Yes, the rehearsal also included this bit and the ‘chai’ being served was real! At this ‘chai’ session, I was ‘assaulted’ by many enquiring after Panditji. One of the interesting encounters I had was with Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee who was then the Padma Vibhushan awardee. He came up to me and jocularly said ‘hame nahin pata tha ke duplicate ko bheja ja sakta hai’ to which I humbly replied ‘main Panditji ki duplicate bilkul nahin hoon, Main to sirf unki bhakth hoon jisko yeh mauka diya gaya hai’!
Soon after the tea session we were asked to gather in the beautiful Moghul garden on the rear side of the Rashtrapati Bhavan for a photography session. Each awardee was assigned his/her position for the ‘real’ session to be held soon after the ‘real’ award ceremony.
6 April, early hours, New Delhi airport. Mrs Chaurasia and I receive Panditji and drive back to the hotel to dress for ‘the’ ceremony. Even as Panditji was shaving I felt it was my duty to ‘impart’ the knowledge I’d imbibed as a dummy awardee! He was amused by my entire account and kept reassuring me that he’d do just fine. Seeing that mischievous look on his face made me question myself as to how difficult would it be for someone capable of making the ‘Bansuri’ sing, to just follow the actions of the previous recipient! To him, this entire exercise was to give me an experience of a lifetime! A memory so deeply etched, that even 17 years later I vividly recall each frame and construct the happenings of that day as it unfolded!
We arrived at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and took our seats, me adjacent to Mrs Chaurasia, now in the audience! Even as all the awardees took their seats my eyes scanned the entire space to assure myself of it all being real! Just as my eyes swept across the faces present, I noticed a face, beyond which my eyes refused to move! Mr Amitabh Bachchan!! He was there accompanying Smt Jaya Bachchan, a Padma awardee herself.
My growing up years associated Hindi films with only one entity, Mr Amitabh Bachchan! And here he was in flesh and blood!
Soon after the award function, we moved to the area for high tea. The President, Shri R.Venkatraman came around and met each one present. No doubt it was a privileged moment for me but I was extremely distracted by those penetrating eyes from across the room! My Idol, my God, was just a few feet away….I became adamant (a trait Panditji hadn’t experienced until then) refusing to move out of there until a formal introduction was made. God was on my side and I noticed both, Mr and Mrs Bachchan gravitate towards Panditji. My heart raced faster and I clutched on to an invisible power, lest I lose consciousness. Panditji was gracious enough to introduce me. One of those rare moments when the decision of joining palms in a Namaskar vis-à-vis extending palm for a handshake became a life and death situation…how could I let go of an opportunity to ‘touch’ my God!
In retrospect, that must’ve been one of my clumsiest greetings to date!
The wealth I came back with could not have been stacked away in any locker or treasure chest. It was deposited in my memory bank account and each time I take a dip there, I come back enriched!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
A. R. Rahman - 'Jai Ho'
Yes, I was at Mr Rahman’s magnificent ‘Jai ho’ concert held in Pune on 31 May, Sunday! With over 70 musicians, dancers, gymnasts, well, this is one show whose sheer magnitude and production values leave one awe-struck! The huge screen in the background projecting videographics in sync with each song, the multi-level stage and Mr Rahman’s presence made for a highly intoxicating evening!
Hariharan, Sadhana Sargam, Roop Kumar Rathod, Rashid Ali, Raja Hassan and a plethora of other singers enthralled the 45,000 + crowd.
The highlight of the evening per my opinion, was the Master on the piano even as Hariharan sang ‘Tu he re’……embellishing it with spontaneous ‘harkatein’ (ornamentation)! His rendition left me with a lump in my throat!
The concert was held in aid of the Lata Mangeshkar Medical Foundation. Didi, Ushaji, Hridaynathji, Adinath and Baiju were there in full strength. Mr Rahman’s humility shone brightly as Didi showered praises on him and congratulated him for having brought glory to the country vis-à-vis the Oscars! She began in Marathi and swiftly switched to Hindi explaining the maestro’s inability to understand Marathi. Head bowed, he quickly and shyly spoke into the microphone, “I understand’! When asked to say something, Rehmansaheb, as Didi referred to him, softly said ‘lets get on with the music’!
The talent and caliber of each artiste present on stage left the audiences asking for more, not wanting the evening to end… Fortunate were those present!
My sincere gratitude to Deepakji who had conceptualized the show and granted me a vantage seat. The mammoth task of conceptualizing something of this scale, requires a very different bent of mind….’a beautiful mind’! Thanks Deepakji!
I left the Balewadi stadium with a great sense of pride stemming from Mr Rahman being a son of the soil to which I too belong!
I had just watched a ‘Visionary’ in action!!!
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