It was a soothing morning of early winters during Diwali in Pune. I was just 20 years old college student. Not a learned but enthusiast in Indian Classical Music. I was all set to attend a live concert at Shaniwar Wada. Just like any other Pune youth, I took my moped and reached there well before time. I could see mist on the river bed and it was not windy. I sat right on the front row (behind some always reserved rows up front). Till that time I only knew certain names in Indian Classical music and certain bandish’s and songs which I used to listen often. One of such devotional songs was Awagha Rang Ek Jhala. If you ask any Indian classical music enthusiast, it is impossible that he/she won’t recognize the song and Vidushi Kishori Amonkar. I was thinking of this concert since previous day. I was trying to find all her songs and bandish‘s. I was in a totally different mood when I sat in the row. Excited but at the same time nervous. Because, it was possible at that time that I would be the only musically illiterate in the audience. After some time, some younger people arrived on stage and by that time chairs around me were getting filled quickly.
I was looking at there setup and tuning. In some time one of the disciples started playing tambora. I can’t put in words what happens in your mind when the tambora starts making its resonating sound. I could feel the breeze which was not chilly, I could see nothing but the stage but still was not looking at it. It was a serene experience. I almost went into a trans. This was my first Indian Classical concert ever. After wandering in several emotions in this trans, I saw an elderly lady coming on to the stage. She was Vidushi Kishori Amonkar! Everyone started clapping. I was so stunned to see such a great singer that I forgot to clap.
She sat down and gave a smile to her disciples. She did a namaskar to audience. I thought she will say something. But, to my surprise she directly went into alaap. I was so glad she did not say anything, because of own greed that I didn’t want to come out of my trans. In that trans I could hear that, her alaap started resonating with the tambora scale. I don’t exactly remember what happened for almost 40 45 minutes after that. I was lost in her voice. I slightly remember claps sounds in between. My eyes were closed and I was in a totally different world. At that moment I realized why she’s called by the title Gaan Saraswati (Goddess Saraswati of Music)
I came out of my trans when I realized, that the piece she was singing is over. My eyes were still closed. I didn’t want her to stop. I opened my eyes. The sky was light pinkish blue, birds were chirping and there was some kind of warmth in the atmosphere. The surrounding felt pious, pure and serene just like a temple. Even today when I think of that moment I get goosebumps. She did not even say anything after that. Later on I came to know by someone that the Raga she sang was Ahir Bilawal. For me still means nothing in front of the experience.
I am not a learned person in music so the music is closer to me that technicality. When, she took a pause I want praying in my heart for Awagha Rang Ek Jhala. Guess what! She began the initial alaap of the devotional song and this time I went beyond the trans. I was feeling so happy that god has blessed me that I was listening to this song live from Kishori Tai herself! Actually god has blessed all of us by sending Vidushi Kishori Tai Amonkar on earth. We can’t thank god enough for that!
The song Awagha Rang Ek Jhala in nutshell talks about oneness with the supreme god Lord Krishna. It is the magical and pious voice of Kishori Tai that takes us closer to the god with each and every note. When I woke up today I never thought such a news will come to me. I am a spiritual person. Today is Ram Navami, somewhere I think Lord Rama asked for her. Lord Rama took many tough decisions, I feel it’s one of them. I have no doubt that Lord has accepted prayer of oneness. I know that even though Kishori Tai has left us, she will be with us forever. Each and every soor she gave to us will always be there with us forever. Her voice will remind us of that oneness which everyone seeks. Whenever someone will listen to the Indian Classical Music, it will remind him of a soor which was is beyond sever soors.. Vidushi Kishori Tai Amonkar _/\_
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