Story: Pandit Bhim
Sain Joshi Concert at Nehru
Park.
this is around 12-15 years back , I saw a newspaper ad from "New Delhi
Municipal Corporation" called NDMC arranging a Morning Raga Series of Programme
in which coming Sunday Programme was By legendary Pundit Bhim
Sain Joshi Ji at Nehru Park , Chankya Puri , New Delhi .
The time of start of the said Programme was 06.00 am. This was too early by any
standard to start a Programme that too on Sunday.
That season was around March - April, almost end of winter months. On occasion
day i.e. Sunday which was cloudy sky with slightly speedy cool breeze was
little punching with surrounding is almost full green.
In Chankya Puri area this time of the year also witness the spread of pollen
from different tree, fall of white wool flower called "Samel ki rooi"
was adding Majestic touch to the total scene.
Pundit Bhim Sain Joshi , called Pundit Ji affectionately , who died
in 2011 was a "Bharat Rattan" recipient ( India's highest civil
honour ) was a ultimate singer with utmost grip on rhythm & melody (
Laykari & Sur ) , a doyen of Classical Hindustani singing with a singing
career span in almost half a century.
I have heard his cassettes with Raga like Raga Ramkali, Mia Ki Malhar, etc.,
but never had the chance to listen him live. Though, I had the privilege to
listen live other masters like Pundit Kumar Gandharv & Mallikarjun Mansoor
Sahib earlier.
I was very exited & eager to listen to him live that is why I had told my
wife Kamini to be ready by 05:30 am on Sunday.
We both reached Nehru Park before time, the security was un-precedent,
reason later understood, very surprised to see huge crowd creating the lack of
car parking space despite of the huge parking space Nehru Park
has.
The security staff checked us properly on the way to open air concert space,
which was almost in middle of huge park area, almost 10 minutes walking from
car park.
As we reached the concert area, I first saw Mr. P.V. Narsima Rao (ex-prime
minister of India)
& couple of other ministers & other VIP of current & previous governments.
Some Ambassadors from other countries were also there. That was the reason of
very high security , but good point was general public , like us , was also
welcomed without any discrimination , only thing was while sitting arrangements
for Ambassadors had a special enclosed that’s all . Total sitting was on
mattress on Very good groomed grass. Under a huge pandal open from all sides.
By 06.00 Morning all preparations were almost over with listeners & Pundit
Ji ready.
Suddenly a splash of rain, hotchpotch the total arrangements , first lowered temperatures
& increase the wind speed in such a way that the open pandal start behaving
like a kite about to be uprooted . The organizers sensed the gravity of
situation struggling to keep the pandal intact, but with in 5-10 minutes
fortunately wind speed became down to the relief to all.
Pundit Ji sensed the slightly panic in the scene , ask every body that as
Morning is so beautiful , why not to start the "Shringar of Lord
Krishna" ( make up sort of Lord Krishna ) and start singing ...
His voice was like a roar of a lion , I do not have the vocabulary to define
his voice to be frank & honest , every one just forgot every thing else
except the feeling of a magic called "singing of Pundit Ji"
he start Shringar with sandal wood pasted with turmeric on his arms , Red Alta
on his Lotus feet , Sandal Wood Tika on
forehead , black kohl in his eyes , then a marigold necklace , rose bracelets ,
lotus round on his waist .. Etc, etc. All in his singing , can you imagine this
, every body was just involved in this Shringar in his heart , this kind
of involvement created by singing , my god , raga name I just forgot.. This
raga took 30 to 35 minutes to complete. Pundit Ji came to a complete halt , for
a moment every thing stopped , no clapping nothing as everybody was regaining
his or her conciseness , this moment was of 9 - 10 second , Suddenly again
Pundit Ji asked a lady sitting in front row in audience , Is any this left out
in this Shringar ? this Sudden question left that lady bemused , then a pause
to wait for the answer , as no answer , again started singing after said that
"more punkh"( peacock feather) still pending in this Mukut (head
gear) , this was really fast piece of raga just set the heart race pulse to its
limits , after complete Shringar , touched the Lotus feet of Lord Krishna , In
Return Krishna lifts the shoulder of the disciple ( Pundit Ji & every
listeners involved ) & gives a proper hug as Return gift of unconditional
love . after getting this hug a lot of crowd had tears in their
eyes , these tears were not ordinary , this was the outcome of a meeting ,
touching , hugging of none other then Lord Krishna himself ,, believe me no
clapping , scene was solemn & ecstatic .... He told that these lyrics by
Surdas Ji.
With a gap of a minute, he gives certain instruction to his musicians pointing
out towards side trees where lot of birds were just enjoying music I do not know,
but enjoying after rain cool breeze & singing kuhu - kuhu themselves.
Pundit started singing by praying with folded hand in "Namaste"
Posture looking towards those birds "Sur ki Mallika, Mera Jiwan Bhi Ulhas
Se Bhar De” ( the queen of melody , please fill my life with the joy : as you
have it ) .
I think this was “Raga Basant Bahar”, see the dimensions of a doyen called
"Pundit Bhim Sain Joshi" praying towards a small bird about its
singing techniques, the wording of the prayers were just great like
"Aapka Kuch Nahi Jayega, Mera Jiwan
Sawar Jayega"
(You will loose nothing, but my
life will set). This raga also took 30-35 minutes. The beauty of this
raga was first a salute to Mother Nature & her abundance; second an
eagerness to learn further as master think incomplete-ness in his knowledge
& ability.
The total air filled with a continuous clapping.
The combination of almost wet cloths due to earlier splash & cool breeze,
had created vibrating teeth effect to almost every one, but no body wants to go
half concert.
The third & final raga was a Durga Stuti ( in praise of Goddess Durga ) ,
as Dushhera & Durga Puja was almost a fortnight away ,
every fine details of goddess Durga was there , her persona , her divine-ness ,
her blessing , her capabilities to remove evil forces , her nine roop ( nine
facets of her life ) , etc . Etc ..........
he ended this concert with a thank to all his listeners....
in stories , we know about Tansen in Mugul emporor Akbar , who had
the ability to bring rain by singing megh malhar or can lit a Deepak by singing
Raga Deepak .
But now I can claim myself the ability the music power to experience a hugging
by lord Krishna.
Mere remembrance of that concert gives me Goosebumps today & always. I feel
so honored that I have experienced Pundit Bhim Sain Joshi Live.
The End ….
