Vrindaban Gurukul, Bhubaneswar

Its been long....very long since I put pen to paper...or is it fingertips to keyboard???

Am inspired to write today....I wanna share with all the blissful experience had at the inauguration of Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia's Vrindaban Gurukul, Bhubaneswar.

21 March, 2010
9 am - Hariji, his son Rajeev, daughter-in-law Kasturi and I receive Mrs & Mr Bachchan at the Bhubaneswar airport from where they proceed to the Jagannath Puri temple.

4 pm - Mr & Mrs Bachchan are escorted to the Gurukul by Hariji and Shivji

4.30 pm - The CM Shri Naveen Patnaik arrives

The CM unveils the inaugural slab, Mrs Jaya Bachchan plants a sapling and Mr Bachchan cuts the ribbon to the entrance of the Gurukul.

Rajeev makes a short but touching speech highlighting his father's emotional connect with the state of Orissa and his desire to 'give back'. Mr Bachchan expressed a desire to also be accepted as the Jamairaja of Orissa although not too far from there he's known as the Jamaibapu of Kolkatta! He even went further and offered his services whenever required by the state.

Jayaji spoke from the heart and in jest added that Hariji should now set up Gurukuls in every state, become their Jamairaja without ofcourse entering into matrimony!

The CM lauded Panditji's efforts while Shivji spoke of the strong bond between himself and Hariji.

Hariji himself made a very brief speech, a highly emotional one, in Oriya!

For all of us present there, it was history in the making. There were some brilliant young artists Hariji had invited to perform that evening followed by a flute symphony by all his students. Hariji's students had flown in from different parts of the globe, an observation made by Mr Bachchan even in his blog!

Personally, I feel blessed to've witnessed this event and indeed look forward to going back to a 'home' in Orissa!