A flute is truly an infinity of melodies. There is something indescribably lyrical, gentle and melodious in the very sound of a flute. Given its very structure, easy it is to find deep, spiritual meanings in every, in fact, in the very note of a flute. Truly it is a wand of enchantment. Why, Shri Krishna's flute allured not just the gopi's and Radha, but every sentient, alive as well as inanimate aspect of the entire universe.
My brother, Pinaki alias Sanju, the youngest in our family, has been for the last three years learning how to play this truly divine instrument. A software engineer with a giant of an MNC, despite a very busy tight schedule, every weekend, he has been religiously attending flute classes in the Flute Temple Institute run by Deepak Bhanuse Sir.
On Sunday, August 16, the institute celebrated the eighty-fifth birthday of the flute maestro, Pandit Keshaw Ginde. The ceremony was organised in the Bhimsen Joshi Auditorium, Aundh. All the disciples, ages ranging from twelve to sixty, participated in the programme.
Initially, after the customary Sarswati Poojan, performed the young ones. Most played the flute, one kid played the synthesizer. Their attempts were quite confident, a tribute to their "guru" and their regular practice. The next event, however, was the real hallmark of the morning ceremony.
Twenty disciples of Bhanuse Sir and Ginde Sir played in unison a beautiful composition by Ginde Sir. Entitled "Kalyan Navrang Sagar", a bouquet it is of six 'bandish'es that mix-n-match the 'sur's and the structures of 'raga's that can form a musical team. The rendition was so mellifluous and so attuned were all the twenty disciples that their dream of practising and playing all the six one by one would soon be realised. The tabla, pakhwaj and keyboard 'saath' was absolutely professional, and added the perfect rhythm to the performance.
What was remarkable about the event was that it was disciplined, properly organised and performed with gravitas. Why, there was a proper 'aarti' and a cute dahi-handi in celebration of a landmark event in Panditji's life. Surely, he must have loved such a wonderful tribute paid by his disciples!
Pratima@ In his much quoted "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard", Thomas Gray has penned the following brilliant lines: "Full many a gem of purest ray serene/The dark unfathom'd caves of ocean bear//Full many a flower is born to blush unseen/And waste its sweetness on the desert air."
The quatrain refers to the sad plight of the talented, of a genius never accorded the recognition due. Why do I say so? Well, Bhanuse Sir has prepared world's first and only earthen flute. Extremely difficult, almost impossible to design and bake, it was inaugurated at the hands of Panditji. Next, Bhanuse Sir played a few notes on this unique instrument. The notes were beautifully melodious. It was a hallmark event that sure deserved the hype that goes to the pre-decided music contests on the television channels, right?!?
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