13th October, 2016, Nehru Centre, Mumbai, is a day am going to cherish for a lifetime. Sangeet Martand Pt. Jasraj ji mesmerised the audience with the divine musical prowess, very few are blessed with. A legend who at the ripe young age of 86, could give a younger musician a run for his money. The control over every ‘sur’, the magical intonation of every syllable, the ‘kharaj’ akin to a lion’s roar, stand testimony to the Master’s command over his craft.
Durga Jasraj, in 1987, then a friend of a friend’s, had invited us to dinner at their lovely home in Shivaji Park. That opened doors to a charming friendship between her and me. Durga's love and dedication towards the art form has provided unique platforms to not only the legends but also the next generation of artistes, thus showcasing talent that is both enchanting and deserving respectively.
One of the most memorable concerts I've attended of Pt. Jasraj ji's, was on a very special evening.. Pandit ji was performing at the Ravindra Natya Mandir, with Zakir ji accompanying him on the Tabla. I had no ticket and it was a sold-out show. I requested Zakir ji and soon found myself seated on the floor, in the wings, soaking in the divine music. Little did I know, that the word 'Taarini' appearing in that evening's rendition of 'Mata Kaalika' would subsequently be the name we chose for our daughter.. What made that concert special was, my pregnancy was confirmed just that very morning! Yes, life does have her magical ways...
Durga’s warm invitations to all her musical endeavours, gave me an opportunity to meet and be in awe of Pt. Jasraj ji. At one such concert, Pt. Bhimsen ji was performing. This was again at Ravindra Natya Mandir, Mumbai. Soon after the concert, Jasraj ji took me back stage and introduced me to Bhimsen ji, who in turn, very casually said, “inko toh hum pehchante hain. IMG ke concerts mein bahut baar dekha hai inko backstage”! My jaw dropped as I realised that I was being watched even as I would surreptitiously stand in a corner, observing all my Gods (of music) in the green room, where I would gain entry, thanks to Zakir ji’s kindness.
Subsequently, I became a regular at Jasraj ji’s residence, then in Parel. I was welcomed into the privileged fold comprising lunches, dinners and impromptu music sessions along with his bunch of dedicated students. On one such occasion in 1994, they were heading to the U.S. Consulate for their visas. I recall Panditji saying to me, “aap bhi America chaleye. Hum concerts karenge aur aap humare sabke saath ghoom lijiye”. I thought he was kidding until when I met him the next day, and he handed me a visa application form! Well, I filled it and applied wondering what fate had in store. Bingo! Before I knew, I was holding a 5-year visa. All I now needed to do was book my tickets. Even here, Pandit ji managed to wield his magic wand and procured for me (and his students) an unbelievable ticket of Delta Airlines, providing innumerable flights for internal travel. I purchased the same from his contact in London, bought a Bombay – New York – Bombay ticket on Air-India and was all set to fly to America, a dream destination for most of us then!
A 2- month tour, covering all of USA and most of Canada, I was indeed blessed to experience the life of a performing artiste. Starting with the concert in Houston, I went on to accompanying Pandit ji on the Tanpura at 16 concerts. In fact the one at Delaware was recorded to be released as an album. After the concert, I recall Pandit ji slipping a 100 USD bill into my hands saying, “tanpurewali ki fees”. I was shocked, thrilled and joyous at my very first earning in the music field, being in USD! The long hours spent travelling on the roads of America, invariably led to ‘Antakshari’ sessions. The impact the concerts had on me was clearly visible at these song sessions. When my turn arrived, I would more often than not, break into one of Pandit ji’s ‘bandishs’. He would be amused and remark, ‘arre, inko kya hogaya?’ The mischievous smile accompanying such remarks, gave away his appreciation at my imbibing the lyrics and appropriately presenting them during the game!
During one of the many visits I made to Hongkong in the 90s, Pt. Jasraj ji and Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia ji were scheduled to perform together at a ‘Jugalbandi’ concert organised by my dear friend Avisha. The camaraderie between the 2 legends, our outings together and inspiring conversations, are now all stacked away in a very special box of memories. The powerful vocal and instrumental rendition of Raag Jog as part of the ‘jugalbandi’, continues to play in my head, even today.
As the job I kept then, required me to travel quite a bit within the country, allowed me sometimes to be in a particular city coinciding with a concert. During one such in Chennai, Pandit ji had planned to visit the legend M.S. Subbulakshmi ji on the day after the concert. I was asked to accompany. One more experience am truly indebted to him for. The taste of the Horlicks she made for us, with me standing next to her in her kitchen, the words she uttered while blessing me, are moments etched deep in my memory.
Another time, a drive from Chennai to Coimbatore along with him and his extended family of students, led to the impromptu composing of a song (in Raag Hamsadhwani), dedicated to me! All I can say is, I am truly humbled!
‘Purna Kalash’ was a concert I was truly privileged to be associated with. Songs and bhajans dedicated to Lord Krishna were presented by Pandit ji in his inimitable style, in a specially designed venue, where the performance platform was constructed at the mouth of a 5-star hotel swimming pool, with the audience seated around the pool. Lotuses and lit ‘diyas’ in the pool, enhanced the beauty of the Kojagiri Purnima night, making it a musically, aesthetically memorable occasion. Even here, I did my bit as an enthusiastic lover of music, but what surprised me most, was Smt Madhura Jasraj ji announcing my name along with hers and Alaknanda ji's, as a co-producer of the show. A gorgeous sari soon followed, as a gesture of thanks from the gracious lady.
The many times Pandit ji travelled with me in my car, sharing stories and anecdotes....his visit to our home on a Diwali morning....his attendance at Taarini’s 5th birthday party....are a few incidents that speak volumes of the love and blessings he has showered upon me!
Thank you, Jasraj ji......you have greatly enriched my life!
Durga Jasraj, in 1987, then a friend of a friend’s, had invited us to dinner at their lovely home in Shivaji Park. That opened doors to a charming friendship between her and me. Durga's love and dedication towards the art form has provided unique platforms to not only the legends but also the next generation of artistes, thus showcasing talent that is both enchanting and deserving respectively.
One of the most memorable concerts I've attended of Pt. Jasraj ji's, was on a very special evening.. Pandit ji was performing at the Ravindra Natya Mandir, with Zakir ji accompanying him on the Tabla. I had no ticket and it was a sold-out show. I requested Zakir ji and soon found myself seated on the floor, in the wings, soaking in the divine music. Little did I know, that the word 'Taarini' appearing in that evening's rendition of 'Mata Kaalika' would subsequently be the name we chose for our daughter.. What made that concert special was, my pregnancy was confirmed just that very morning! Yes, life does have her magical ways...
Durga’s warm invitations to all her musical endeavours, gave me an opportunity to meet and be in awe of Pt. Jasraj ji. At one such concert, Pt. Bhimsen ji was performing. This was again at Ravindra Natya Mandir, Mumbai. Soon after the concert, Jasraj ji took me back stage and introduced me to Bhimsen ji, who in turn, very casually said, “inko toh hum pehchante hain. IMG ke concerts mein bahut baar dekha hai inko backstage”! My jaw dropped as I realised that I was being watched even as I would surreptitiously stand in a corner, observing all my Gods (of music) in the green room, where I would gain entry, thanks to Zakir ji’s kindness.
Subsequently, I became a regular at Jasraj ji’s residence, then in Parel. I was welcomed into the privileged fold comprising lunches, dinners and impromptu music sessions along with his bunch of dedicated students. On one such occasion in 1994, they were heading to the U.S. Consulate for their visas. I recall Panditji saying to me, “aap bhi America chaleye. Hum concerts karenge aur aap humare sabke saath ghoom lijiye”. I thought he was kidding until when I met him the next day, and he handed me a visa application form! Well, I filled it and applied wondering what fate had in store. Bingo! Before I knew, I was holding a 5-year visa. All I now needed to do was book my tickets. Even here, Pandit ji managed to wield his magic wand and procured for me (and his students) an unbelievable ticket of Delta Airlines, providing innumerable flights for internal travel. I purchased the same from his contact in London, bought a Bombay – New York – Bombay ticket on Air-India and was all set to fly to America, a dream destination for most of us then!
A 2- month tour, covering all of USA and most of Canada, I was indeed blessed to experience the life of a performing artiste. Starting with the concert in Houston, I went on to accompanying Pandit ji on the Tanpura at 16 concerts. In fact the one at Delaware was recorded to be released as an album. After the concert, I recall Pandit ji slipping a 100 USD bill into my hands saying, “tanpurewali ki fees”. I was shocked, thrilled and joyous at my very first earning in the music field, being in USD! The long hours spent travelling on the roads of America, invariably led to ‘Antakshari’ sessions. The impact the concerts had on me was clearly visible at these song sessions. When my turn arrived, I would more often than not, break into one of Pandit ji’s ‘bandishs’. He would be amused and remark, ‘arre, inko kya hogaya?’ The mischievous smile accompanying such remarks, gave away his appreciation at my imbibing the lyrics and appropriately presenting them during the game!
During one of the many visits I made to Hongkong in the 90s, Pt. Jasraj ji and Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia ji were scheduled to perform together at a ‘Jugalbandi’ concert organised by my dear friend Avisha. The camaraderie between the 2 legends, our outings together and inspiring conversations, are now all stacked away in a very special box of memories. The powerful vocal and instrumental rendition of Raag Jog as part of the ‘jugalbandi’, continues to play in my head, even today.
As the job I kept then, required me to travel quite a bit within the country, allowed me sometimes to be in a particular city coinciding with a concert. During one such in Chennai, Pandit ji had planned to visit the legend M.S. Subbulakshmi ji on the day after the concert. I was asked to accompany. One more experience am truly indebted to him for. The taste of the Horlicks she made for us, with me standing next to her in her kitchen, the words she uttered while blessing me, are moments etched deep in my memory.
Another time, a drive from Chennai to Coimbatore along with him and his extended family of students, led to the impromptu composing of a song (in Raag Hamsadhwani), dedicated to me! All I can say is, I am truly humbled!
‘Purna Kalash’ was a concert I was truly privileged to be associated with. Songs and bhajans dedicated to Lord Krishna were presented by Pandit ji in his inimitable style, in a specially designed venue, where the performance platform was constructed at the mouth of a 5-star hotel swimming pool, with the audience seated around the pool. Lotuses and lit ‘diyas’ in the pool, enhanced the beauty of the Kojagiri Purnima night, making it a musically, aesthetically memorable occasion. Even here, I did my bit as an enthusiastic lover of music, but what surprised me most, was Smt Madhura Jasraj ji announcing my name along with hers and Alaknanda ji's, as a co-producer of the show. A gorgeous sari soon followed, as a gesture of thanks from the gracious lady.
The many times Pandit ji travelled with me in my car, sharing stories and anecdotes....his visit to our home on a Diwali morning....his attendance at Taarini’s 5th birthday party....are a few incidents that speak volumes of the love and blessings he has showered upon me!
Thank you, Jasraj ji......you have greatly enriched my life!
