Page 21 - seniors today August issue
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I have had the privilege to be the first disciple teaching me, to stay a step ahead of me, and that
of the legendary Padmavibhushan late enriched her own music. So from then on she
Gaan-Saraswati Kishori Amonkar (whom I never accepted from me a single paisa for all the
shall address as Kishoritai or Tai hereafter). wealth of music she showered upon me!
Kishoritai lived an accomplished life as an In 1962, I stood first at the University, and took
avant-garde vocalist of the Jaipur-Atrauli the decision to join IIT Bombay at Powai for
gharana of Hindustani classical music during my B.Tech. in chemical engineering. Since the
her illustrious 86-year life. What follows are campus was residential, with rules not allowing
some reminiscences of a devoted disciple, friend students to go home on weekends, this meant
and philosopher, a role I had played for about an end of my further music training. But Tai
50 years in her life. Kishoritai was only 12 years gave me a strict ultimatum: Either you come
older than me, and therefore these three roles for music lessons every weekend, or terminate
inter-mingled rather easily in the long journey your training! I had no option but to seek
of our lives. However, the most prominent role special permission from the Director of IIT to
was that of her disciple, and I shall primarily go home to Mumbai every weekend. He gave
dwell on it in this narration. me that permission with the condition that
it would be withdrawn if I ever lost my first
My initiation as Kishoritai’s disciple happened rank in the class. With God’s grace I managed
somewhat accidentally. When I was hardly 12 studies, and weekends and holidays of full-time
years old, I had a chance encounter with her music lessons. I not only maintained first rank
when I had visited her mother and Guru, late each year, but won the President of India Gold
Padmabhushan Gaan-Tapaswini Mogubai Medal at the final B.Tech. year, having stood first
Kurdikar (whom I shall call Mai, as we all amongst all branches of engineering. Needless
used to call her) just to see what the legend to say, Kishoritai was mighty pleased, and even
looked like, and to pay my respects to her. I was attended my convocation.
undergoing training under Ustaad Abdul Majid
Khansaheb at that time. Mai made me sing for Rigorous routine
her during that visit, so she was aware of who I am tempted to write about the music lesson
I was. Many years later, at the age of 17, when routine during each weekend. After the
I approached Mai to ask if she would take me practicals on Friday afternoon, I would take
under her tutelage, she politely declined, but the bus from the campus to Vikhroli station,
knowing of my preparation in vocal music from and then after a long train journey, reach
five years earlier, she suggested her daughter Tai’s home at Gowalia Tank in the evening. I
Kishoritai, not so famous then, to play that role. would then have five sessions – One on Friday
I readily accepted, and thus was the beginning evening and two each on Saturday and Sunday
of what was to be the most scintillating musical mornings and evenings. I would then take off
relationship for the next five decades! for Powai late in the evening on Sunday, reach
the hostel sometimes as late as 11 pm after a
My first year of training began with Raag two mile uphill walk from Vikhroli station, as
Bhairav. I had finished First Year at college there would be no bus service at that hour! I
and was into the intermediate science year. would miss dinner, and fill-up on biscuits and
Music practically became my second, equally water. And the classes would begin on Monday
time-consuming, activity during that time. The morning. The reason I have mentioned this
lessons were regular, about three to four times a ordeal each weekend is to emphasize the fire in
week. Tai started with me for fees of Rs. 50 per my belly that drove me to satisfy Kishoritai’s
month, but in a couple of months, she stopped strict, rigorous demands of learning the
accepting any fees. Her reasoning was that authentic Jaipur Gharana Raagas as fast as
she herself liked the challenge she faced while possible. Of course, during Diwali and summer
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