Pt Bhimsen Joshi, INDIA

Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, India

The post card that this god gifted genius used to receive would only have the address mentioned in the title “ Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, India”. Such was his popularity across the breadth of India that even a rickshaw driver would know him and relate to his music. He was a musician whose voice and music skills transcended and admired by aam aadmi as well as the learned musicians of the era. It is sad Pandit is no longer physically with us, but his music will reverberate and echo in our ears and minds forever.

One is indeed lucky to have lived in the same era as of this maverick Hindustani vocalist. Infact, Panditji was not just a “Hindustani classical musician” but could be actually termed as “Hindustani musician” because his melody was liked by not just people who understood and liked classical music but also common people. “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara” in raag Desh was a testament to that fact. Even after almost 2 decades, the music just brings forth the indianism in each of us. I remember , while still in school, I would remain glued just to hear this particular song amidst all busy chores that I would be involved in and even amidst possibly a slot during the cricket match.

Such was the passion to learn music in the young Bhimsen Joshi that he left his home and parents at the tender age of 11 in search of his guru. He endured a lot of struggle in the quest for his guru and he travelled across north and east of India ( Gwalior, Kolkata ). It is ironical that his eventual Guru – Pt Sawai Gandharv was in Kundgol, which is just around hundred kilometers from his home in Gadag. In our present generation, we may not be able to even comprehend the difficulty during pre-independence and post-independence times – lack of financial resources, lack of connectivity/information. Anybody who has been successful in those times is purely because of their persistence, passion and skill. It is sad but we have indeed lost a few of them in the past few months – Gangubai Hangal, Gawai and now Pt Bhimsen Joshi. Infact, Gangubai Hangal and Pt Bhimsen Joshi learnt music together under Pt Sawai Gandharv at Kundgol and had tremendous respect for each other. Apparently, when he was a kid, he heard Ustaad Abdul Karim Khan singing on radio and that moment , Young Bhimsen had decided and had made up his mind to sing like him. It was probably the defining moment in his life.
Pt Bhimsen Joshi was also known for the actions, gestures and movements during the performances. Once someone asked him about the same and he responded saying that while he was performing, his actions were the means to connect to God. He used to get completely immersed in music and would very often continue on the ‘raag’ for 3 hours with different unique ‘taan’s’, which is extremely difficult by any standards for an accomplished vocalists. Panditji is also known for the fantastic breath control and was probably god-given gift. Most of the musicians of the era vouch for that.

Panditji also is credited with the creation of the annual Sawai Gandharv music festival. It is one of the best events in the cultural circuits in India, wherein many renowned musicians play and enthrall the audiences every year. Apparently, Panditji also attended the same the last event a few months back in a wheel chair and almost everyone present were on their foot and some of them were into tears.

Panditji was also known for this interest in automobiles and cars. He had acquired a second hand Mercedes during his career and was very often seen driving himself in his hay days. He had travelled across the world to countries such as USA, Italy, Canada, Holland where he enthralled the audiences. However, he had struggled in the initial part of his life but remained persistent on the quest of musical knowledge. It is said that renowned singer Begum Akhtar had recommended a job for him at AIR ( All India Radio ) , Lucknow on monthly salary of 35/- which actually was the beginning of his masterly musical innings that will be forever etched in history. He had a great voice and great breath control and tremendous hardwork and riyaaz only made his music magical.

It is also a matter of pride for me that I belong to the same region of North Karnataka / Hubli-Dharwad where Hindustani music possibly was ingrained in the culture in the olden days. I have had only one opportunity to actually hear Pt Bhimsen Joshi sing in 2004 along with L Balamuralikrishna, renowned carnatic vocalist in Bangalore. It is of even more pride to state that we lived in the same era.