Pandit Jasraj no more- the scroll on the TV News channel moved as it does for any breaking. It hit me like a thud and in an instant, the world of music seemed to have come to a breathing halt and bowed its solemn head in reverence and mourning for the maestro that Pt Jasraj was. The legendary Pt Jasraj and the expanse of his versatile creations spread fragrance in the universe of music for over seven decades. His soulful renderings of pure Ragas, huge variety of musical compositions dedicated to Shiva, Krishna, Shakti, Ganesha besides sufi compositions made him stand apart and as the tallest figure in the Hindustani classical music. Its very natural for the music lovers across the globe feel the vacuum which can never ever be filled.
Since 70s had been listening to him and in those years of adolescence when the taste for music was in its infancy, taking shape the resonance and depth of his voice made me feel something so unique that I was drawn to listen to him. Have had little knowledge of ragas but as a naive listener I used to revel in his aalap and bandishen. In 1992 when I was CEO KDB , he was invited to perform in KU Auditorium. The number of listeners made the heart of organizer in me sink but the audience present was cream of music lovers in Kurukshetra who were like true devotees of music. And when he rendered Nirvana Ashtakam: chidnanad roopa shivoham shivoham, it made me feel how proud the creator of this composition Adi Shankaracharya must be feeling hearing its rendering from a soul immersed in music. After the show my mother who loved his music requested him to visit our home for breakfast. I was a bit uneasy as he might say no and it would hurt Ma but he immediately agreed, came for breakfast and chatted so leisurely and in a relaxed manner as if he was an old known person. It was purely his modesty and humility which we cherish so fondly.
During my stay in UK for two years, a few of his CDs gifted by Rashmi were my consistent companion and I listened to them repeatedly and wondered how could one singer put his heart and soul in music to this extent. His composition: 'Mero Allah meharbaan..' in raag Bhairavi is a superlative composition , his masterpiece and the way it ends with Om is so mesmerising -beyond words indeed. I really wonder how we live in segments of religions and castes, the magical music of maestro like Pandit Jasraj knew no bounds whatsoever.
'What thou liv'st ,live well/long or short permit to Heaven' (Milton) . He lived not only well but he has left the largesse that music lovers will cherish for the years to come. He enriched the world of vocal music in such a way that coming generations would hardly ever believe that single person could compose so variedly and each composition with such finesse!
Great tribute to a great personality by my great mam. Regards.
ReplyDeleteIt’s seem so less to read and write about PT Jasraj Ji. Indeed huge loss of Hindustani Classical Sangeet. It seems so good when I got opportunity to meet at Karnal Auditorium where HIFA recognised him few years back. You are so kind to write about him. Someone rightly said about PT Jasraj Ji that अगर भगवान गाते तो पंडित जसराज जी जैसा ही गाते.
ReplyDeleteपरमात्मा उन्हें अपने चरणो मैं अतिसुंदर स्थान दें।
Pandit jasraj has rightly been called India's best gift to the world who can take u on spiritual journey, a mu sical nirvana with his perfect rendition of Hindustani classical music. Mam u r a great and wonderful personality. Regards
ReplyDeletePandit Jasraj was the back bone classical music for world in general and Indian in particular. Indian have lost a imminent personality. May the departed soul rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteपंडित जसराज जी शास्त्रीय संगीत के महान संगीतकार थे । उन्होंने भारतीय शास्त्रीय संगीत को विश्व में एक नई पहचान दिलवाई है । उनका यह संगीत हर भारतीय वासी के मन मस्तिष्क में एक अमिट छाप छोड़ कर गया है । उनकी यह कमी कभी पूरी नहीं की जा सकती है । आपने अति सुंदर शब्दों में उनको बहुत ही भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजलि दी है जिसने आतम विभोर कर दिया है । भगवान ऐसी आत्मा को सदैव के लिए अपने चरणों में स्थान दे ऐसी मैं कामना करता हूं ।💐💐🙏🙏
ReplyDelete💐💐💐💐💐🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
ReplyDeleteHe personified divinity in music....
ReplyDeleteNice artical. No doubt Pt jasraj ji , was true asset to nation and to the all musical lovers across the globe.indeed his great vocal skills always crave me for more. May the soul come on earth in some other form and his music always stay with us .
ReplyDeleteTribute to the great soul.