Aaj phir aapki kami si hai.....

It was sometime in May, 1994 at a concert hall in Houston. As I listened to that soulful voice singing 'woh kaagaz ki kashti', I let the tears flow unabashedly down my cheeks. Had held them tight over the past 10 days since my Patti's (grandmother) demise. That line 'woh budiya jise bachche kehte the nani' broke open the floodgates and I finally wept at her going-away! Post concert, I simply had to go up and express my gratitude as well as appreciation to the artiste. That was my first interaction with the legendary 'King of Ghazals', Shri Jagjit Singhji!

My husband Neville, had initiated me into Jagjitji's music in the late 80's. Since, every new album found its way from the store shelf to our homes and into our hearts! 'Marasim'; 'Hope'; 'Someone, Somewhere' being a few of them.

My frequent visits to the Taj Salon at the Hotel Taj Mahal, Mumbai led to many subsequent meetings with the singer. For some reason unknown to me, each time, he welcomed me warmly with the standard question 'Aap U.S. se kab aayein?'. This amused me each time and I did my best to undo that notion. But that first meeting on foreign soil ensured my 'U.S. citizenship', atleast in Jagjitji's mind!

My husband Neville was a keen aero modellor. His weekend sojourns to the Mahalaxmi Race Course invariably got him to meet Jagjitji who went there regularly for his walks. Neville being an ardent fan of his, would strike up a conversation and created a niche for himself in Jagjitji's memory pool.

In 2006, my husband left his body and moved on. For a while after that I could not bring myself to listen to any of Jagjitji's ghazals. Each had a memory attached and the act of listening to it required a mental armour to combat the pain!

In 2009 I was working on a 'Mumbai Anthem' project with Sonu Nigam. He composed the music and got every singer to partake in it, including Jagjitji and Talatji. The recordings were conducted at Sonuji's studio and scheduled over 3/4 days where all the artistes came. One of those evenings were ear-marked for Jagjitji and Talatji. Upon their arrival, Sonuji introduced me to them. Jagjitji's immediate reaction was 'per yeh toh America se hain na?'. I could not help laughing even as Sonuji tried telling him that I am a complete 'desi' product! That's when I remarked and told Jagjitji, how thanks to him each time we meet, I feel like a U.S. citizen!

During the course of the night, Jagjitji, Talatji and I found ourselves alone in the outer room as Sonuji and the others were inside the studio. Talatji picked the 'harmonium' and requested Jagjitji to hum a few lines. Jagjitji obliged and Talatji accompanied him on the 'harmonium'. At one point, I gathered enough courage to appeal to Jagjitji to sing one of Neville's favourite ghazals. Just before that, I mentioned his meetings with Neville at the race course. Jagjitji's reaction was 'arre haan. But I haven't seen him for a while. Where is he?'. I gingerly broke the news of Neville's demise. Jagjitji was shocked! The next couple of hours were dedicated to Neville! He turned the 'harmonium' towards himself, got so involved, gazed into my eyes and sang every ghazal I requested of him. Meanwhile, listening to that sonorous voice, Sonuji and the others trooped into the room and soaked in the melody!

I could not have asked for a bigger tribute to be paid to Neville. That night am sure Neville was present and enjoyed the moment as much as the rest of us did! For me, unknown to anybody else, it was an unspoken gift, on the eve of our wedding anniversary!

Shukriya Jagjitji!
Aaj phir aap 'dono' ki kami si hai.....

It's all about Passion!

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!

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!

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!

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!

Yes, I’d Arrived!

The morning of 31 December, 1991 dawned; my heartbeat had doubled through the night. After having stood in long queues for concert tickets, here I was being invited by one of my Gods. As instructed I reached the concert venue in Vile Parle, a suburb of Mumbai. With trembling feet I walked to the green room looking for Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia. There he was, looking resplendent, attired in the traditional Dhoti-Kurta. The vermillion ‘tilak’ adorning his forehead can be mesmirizing as I was to soon learn! The invite for the concert was handed over to me and I gingerly made my way into the auditorium. Having noticed ‘Row A’ on the card, I wondered if I’d ‘arrived’! Yes, that evening was indeed a message from the heavens, proclaiming my ‘arrival’ as a significant member of the audience!

Synchronicity!

Synchronicity seems to have become the recent mantra of my life! Many happenings of late are related to either thoughts or actions that occur just prior to an incident.

The early hours of the morning of 29 Dec, 1991 was one such!

Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia had announced a grand musical night for 28 December, 1991 at the Shivaji Park, Mumbai. A historic one as until then the grounds had been used only for political rallies!
As for most concerts, I had picked the tickets for 3 of us....my sister, niece and myself. Having attended concerts through the previous 2 nights, I was fatigued and a little reluctant to go to this one. But since the night promised a dance jugalbandi between the maestros Pt Kelucharan Mohapatra (Odissi) and Pt Birju Maharaj (Kathak), my sister insisted we go! And go we did!

The night was indeed magical as 2 maestros took to the stage each time for unique ‘Jugalbandis’ or duets. Even so many years later I’ve vivid memories of that divine night. Master after master took centerstage and music flowed like celestial outpourings! Jugalbandis between Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia & Pt Jasraj; Pt Bhimsen Joshi & Dr Balamurali Krishna.... The icing on the cake was Ustad Zakir Hussain’s participation in most of these. It was a blessing to be just seated there and let the music seep into our very beings.

Just as the night was merging with the wee hours of the morning, I decided to stretch my legs and walk around the open space. As I was on my way back, I chanced on Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia. I took the opportunity to go up to him and express my gratitude for the musical bliss. Having successfully accomplished the challenge of bringing together on one stage so many artists, Panditji seemed relaxed and receptive to my presence. He was kind enough to ask for my name and immediately invited me to his forthcoming concert on 31 Dec!

Did I accept his invitation? I would’ve been foolish not to!
‘Synchronicity’ had just begun her mystic game...

Kal, Aaj aur Kal!

As is in an Ekta Kapoor serial, am gonna leap ahead a few years and come to the present!
As we go along, shall stop and have a few flashbacks as and when required!

Since the start of 2006, I decided to fly solo and make ‘Events’ an integral part of my professional life. Thus was ‘Aspirationz’ born!
Since my core strengths are artiste relations and event conceptualization, I direct all my energies mainly to these areas!

Have had the privilege of working with some of the best artistes for some of the best Corporates in the country!

A brief overview:

Feb, 2006 - Conceptualised and presented an evening of Indian Classical Music featuring Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia and Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma. The event was part of the “Business Leaders Summit” organized by the Barclays Capital, at the Ananda, Rishikesh and was based on the concept of ‘Basant Panchami’

July, 2006 – “Bollywood Hungama – Odissi Ishtyle” – for the Sangit Kala Kendra, the cultural wing of the Aditya Birla Group

July 2006 – Alka Yagnik Musical Show – for Bank of Baroda as part of their 99th Foundation Day Celebrations

July 2006 – “Sonakshi – a fusion concert” - for the Sangit Kala Kendra, the cultural wing of the Aditya Birla Group

October 2006 - “Bollywood Hungama – Odissi Ishtyle” – for the Archana Trust’s Diwali Celebrations

November 2006 - “Bollywood Hungama – Odissi Ishtyle” – for BG India at the inaugural function of the BG House, Mumbai

February & June 2007 - “Sonakshi – a fusion concert” – for BG India

July 2007 – Jugalbandi concert – Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia & Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma – for Bank of Baroda’s Centenary Year celebrations

November 2007 – ‘Koshish – a musical crossover’ by Shubha Mudgal – for Indian Banks’ Association

November 2007 – ‘Urban Raga by Pt Ajay Pohankar & Abhjit Pohankar – for the Sangit Kala Kendra, the cultural wing of the Aditya Birla Group

March 2008 – Classical Music concert by Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia for Hiranandani Builders & Sri Guruji Art Academy, Thane during the visit of Pujya Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

March 2008 - “Sonakshi – a fusion concert” & a dance program based on film music by Jai & friends – for BG India

March 2008 – ‘Rang Hori’ by Shubha Mudgal – for Anand Rathi Financial Securities.

June/July 2008 – Workshop on “Musical Instruments of India” – for Essar Steel in Mumbai, Hazira & Vizag

July 2008 – “Hari Rang, Hari Sang” – Pt Chaurasia’s 70th birthday celebrations with a unique concept featuring Pt Chaurasia, Sonu Niigaam & live musicians. Here we also got Mr & Mrs Bachchan to launch Panditji’s biography!

July 2008 – Shankar Mahadevan Bollywood Musical Show – for Bank of Baroda as part of their 100th Foundation Day Celebrations

November 2008 – “Sonu Niigaam – Live in Concert” – for Sangit Kala Kendra’s ‘Aditya Birla Awards’ night

March 2009 - “Sonu Niigaam – Live in Concert” – for Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Cricket Club of India

March 2009 – ‘Ta – Dha’ – an evening of rhythm & melody by Taufiq Qureshi and friends, for Mrs Neerja Birla, Aditya Birla Group

Forthcoming:
May 2009 – ‘An introduction to Indian Instruments’ – a lecture-demo addressing the spouses of ex-pat employees of BG India

July 2009 – ‘Ta – Dha’ – an evening of rhythm & melody by Taufiq Qureshi and friends for the JT Performing Arts Centre, Cochin

Thanks Zakirji!

The initial concerts I attended mainly featured Ustad Zakir Hussain and Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma teaming together. The musical chemistry between them is to be heard to be believed! Zakirji’s care coupled with his divine music drew me to these concerts each time. In a couple of years, I had landed a job in the Advertising world. Purchasing concert tickets wasn’t stressful anymore. In fact, I was now able to buy 3 and even take my parents along!

Sometimes if I missed buying my tickets and realized they were all gone, all it required was a call to Zakirji who would ask me to see him just prior to the show at the venue….and I'd follow him into the auditorium!

Today, if am here writing all this with a deep sense of gratitude and am given the honor of sharing the stage with Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, the entire credit goes to Zakirji! But for his intervention in my life, I’d never have known the dynamism of Indian Classical Music, now the elixir of my life!

The First Step.....

Just the sound of Indian Classical Music was a sheer magnetic draw….. Akin to the “Naad” or Celestial Sound! The second day on this new path at the IMG Fest, St. Xavier’s College, compelled me to go up to Ustad Zakir Hussain and convey my compliments for the sheer magic his dexterous hands displayed! That moment was a pre-ordained one for me, as I was to learn over the years. His innocent question after the concert expressing his concern over me reaching home safe, led him to ask the many enchanted fans if any of them were going in the direction of my home. When Ustad Zakir Hussain asks, even travelers not headed that way, are more than happy to comply. Thus, I was always escorted home in a car under the distant but watchful eyes of Zakirji. Angels in the form of strangers dropped me to my doorstep, thus ensuring my presence at every subsequent concert!

A long journey had just begun…..

Humble Beginnings…..

I was a student at St. Xaviers College doing my post-grad in Mass Comm! Happened to come across a poster announcing the 3-day festival of Indian Classical Music. Curiosity got the better of me and I decided to check it out. Rs 100/- for a 3-day season pass….unaffordable. Only alternative being, reaching the venue 2 hours prior to show time, standing in a queue to pick a daily ‘baithak’ ticket at Rs 20/-! The ‘baithak’ seats meant ‘gaddas’ being strewn along the ‘pillared’ corridor, barely providing a glimpse of the artiste on stage. Well, I consoled myself. Afterall, music was all about ‘listening’ and was best enjoyed with the ‘eyes shut’! I did manage to get there every evening in time to grab a ‘vantage’ point. Concerts then were more ‘real’ and went on into the wee hours of the morning! Just a small issue though…I depended only on public transport then…and at that hour all I was faced with were empty roads and empty tracks! But reach home I did…safe and secure! How? A little patience dearies…will get to that shortly! Meanwhile, my late night sojourns led to battles back home with Appa suspecting his dear daughter’s ‘passion’ for music! Thank God for Amma who came to my rescue!