As the lights dim and the curtains lift, Sanget Martand Pandit Jasraj walks on to the dias and seats himself without much ado. But as he readies to begin his performance, he has a request: could the lighting please be brighter? “I want to see the bhakhtas," he offers as an explanation. "Who am I? I am no one. It is the Almighty who resides in th hearts of the bhaktas who makes me sing."

As always, the audience is in a veritable spell for the next hour or so. The occasion is a felicitation by the Gandharva Vidyalaya to mark the legend's 75th birthday, a time when most others would have called it a day. But not Panditji. "As I look back, I find it difficult to believe that I have been around for so long," he says. One thing's for sure though: music has always been an instrinsic part of him.

A great vocalist and composer, Panditji credits his elder brother and guru Mahamahopadhyaya Maniramji with playing the key role in his formative years. Well-known musicians like Ustad Amir Khan, Pandit Omkarnath Thakur and Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan have also had a tremendous influence. He recalls how he once visited a paralysed Bade Ghulam Ali Khan in hospital following which Khansaheb urged him to become his disciple. Much as Panditji felt honoured, he said he could not take up the offer. The reason: it was his dream to be a reflection of his father in his singing. Touched by the youngster's resolve, Khansaheb burst into tears. “I am truly proud of you," he told Panditji, showering him with blessings.

It was not long before the fond dream could turn into a reality. As Panditji's natural flair for singing got finetuned, his compositions too evolved with time. Many of them were in fact born out of everyday situations. For example, the composition, "Ya rabba more in raga suha kanada", was inspired by a banal conversation between him and his wife Madhura ( V. Shantaram’s daughter). It was one of those evenings in 1972 when he was sitting on the terrace of his home in Mumbai having a cup of tea. His bags were packed for a concert tour he was to embark upon that night. Suddenly Madhura complained about how she did not feel too good about his frequent travelling. “But staying away does heighten the pleasure of seeing each other again, doesn't it," asked Panditji and before he knew he had broken into the Ya rabba verse in raga suha kannada. What followed could only be explained by a divine intervention as Madhura supplied the next two lines. In a playful banter, the couple kept the emerging bandish going, little knowing that it would turn into an immortal melody.

As a husband, Panditji is indebted to his wife for being a source of strength and support at every stage. "She has played a pivotal role," he says. As a performer and a guru too, it has been a fulfilling life. Among the students he has churned out are Sanjeev Abhayankar, Shweta Jhaveri and Kala Ramnath who vouch for their master's supremacy.

But Panditji feels there is so much left to score. Optimistic about the future of classical music, he explains how today’s youth are a genius. "They have so many opportunities before them unlike my generation. What is needed is discipline and steadfastness," he says.

Firmly rooted in tradition but in pace with the times, Panditji is equipped with the latest gizmos, including a camera phone, and makes it a point to go surfing on the Net to find out what is happening around the world. He takes time off to watch cricket matches and go on those ever-refershing treks every now and then. It is this wholesomeness that perhaps makes the maestro 75 years young.

COLLECTOR's ITEM

After the release of the path-breaking album Golden Voice Golden Years to commemorate the 50 years of relentless innovation in Hindustani classical music by Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj, Music Today has released this musicography on the occasion of his 75th Birthday in association with Art and Artistes. Producer of the Musicography Durga Jasraj says "it is a dream come true" for her.

The biography on VCD and DVD showcases the legend’s journey through life. Spread over segments, it captures the maestro narrating the unforgettable moments of his life in his own words and style. The album is the discovery of the shades and nuances that have contributed in making Panditji a living legend.
The first chapter opens with Panditji's recollections of his father whose early death left a huge impact on him. This is followed by the segment in which he narrates his experiences during school days and how he evolved as a musician. The next section takes one through his extraordinary talent at playing the tabla—with pillows as a child.
Guru Shishya Parampara reflects the love of Panditji towards his Guru and brother, Manirmaji and how he was brought up by him. It is one of the most emotionally charged segments of the VCD. He also narrates his experience of his communion with God at the age of 14.

Coming A Full Circle comprises his most memorable experiences in life and his intimate relationship with the Divine.

As such, Golden Voice Golden Years musicography is a celebration of Panditji's achievements as a superlative artiste and individual. A collector’s item.

Priced at Rs 195 for a pack of one VCD.

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