Music maketh memorable mates. Some proof is the superb showcasing by the late Dr.S.V. Gokhale of his lifelong camaraderie with THE maestro, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi. In the late fifties began their bond which blossomed in to the unique homage entitled "Swaradhiraj", an audio-visual treat offered by Mitra Foundation in association with Kaveri Kalakshetra.
The wondrous evening began with a great 'Ganeshparan' by Anand Bamanikar who was felicitated for his lifetime accompaniment with n through tabla. The warm memories of Panditji he shared set the tone for the distinctive documentary crafted by Dr. Gokhale, a unique combo of audio n video clips of 'mahfils', and t.v.interviews, and most importantly, 'melodious' memories.
The presentation, structured like the classical 'baithak' Panditji preferred, a 'bada khayal' in 'vilambit gat' followed by a semi-classical 'thumri' which gave way to a 'drut gat' presentation to crescendo in a 'natya geet' and Panditji's signature 'bhajan', and finally the soulful 'bhairavi', was finely edited with unique transitions that zoomed in to Panditji's memories n 'mehfils'.
What all treasures Dr. Gokhale thus shared with the aficiandos of music! Why, there were gems like the varieties of 'todi', the unique 'hori' very rarely heard , the unusual 'raag' Panditji masterfully attempted, be it 'abhogi' or 'darbari kanada', his unique LP not easily accessed, and so on, literally ad infinitum.
How can one ever forget the 'raag mala' of five classical structures Bhimsenji used as a music director, his trademark 'natya sangit' represented by 'ugich ka kanta' and his playing with 'sur n lay' that made Calcutta fall in love with his much admired 'abhang', the beautiful 'bhajan' 'Tirth Vitthal'!
Yet it was the memories that Dr.Gokhale shared, often through audios of unusual private 'mahfils' at his home, which made the tribute truly humane and warm. The 'one rupee coin' bait, the Peddar Road 're-vision' with Ustaad Amir Khan, the assertive singing of Panditji in the Pune mahfil for which Dr. Gokhale scouted the perfect space, this quasi-biography of Panditji never had a hagiographic note. Instead, there were joyful 'recollections in tranquility' full of admiration and respect.
The documentary was also a subtle graph of Dr Gokhale's own growth as a 'rasika' who is often best described as a 'sahodar', a brotherhood that blooms despite differences in age and profession. Indeed, the Gokhale family can never be thanked enough for making accessible to us all this family heirloom.
Pratima@ 'Once more, once more, and once more,' please, Gokhale Ma'am, please!!! An 'encore' is much deserved, right? How can just one listen of a lifetime of melodies@memories be enough, right?
Quote of the day: "If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.” So said Albert Einstein.
Word of the day: 'Swaradhiraj' The term means the emperor of the kingdom of music that Pandit Bhimsen Joshi indubitably was!
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