Pandit.Bhimsen. Joshi is honoured with Bharat Ratna

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Madhwa's Teachings.

 

 

 

 

05-11-08

 

 

Pandit Bhimsen Joshi honoured with Bharat

Ratna.

 

Dear Reader,

 

 

To-day, Pandit Bhimsen. Joshi, one of the top-most

singers of Hindustani classical music, from Kirana Gharana was awarded

the highest civilian award of our country, " Bharat Ratna " , for his

outstanding contribution to the world of music. In all humility,

Panditji said that he was very glad to accept the award on behalf of

all those musicians who, through khayal gayaki, contributed to the

enrichment of the Indian classical music.

 

Congratulating Panditji on the award announced

earlier, Smt. Lata.Mangeshkar, already a recipient of Bharat Ratna,

said that the award was bestowed on a sage-like singer but, it was

late in coming, she opined; it should have been conferred in him much

earlier, she said.

 

The highest award was perhaps given to him by the

exponents and connoisseurs of Agra Gharana, some years ago. The

exponents of Agra Gharana consider their school and style of singing

to be far more superior to other Gharanas. On attending a concert by

Panditji, however, they were so much impressed with the rendition of

the ragas, that they called him " Khuda ka banda " which means " a

gandharva in human form " .

 

True, Panditji's singing has a magical touch; his

concerts have a long lasting mesmerizing effect on the listeners. The

writer attended a concert almost in his youth, when Panditji sang

puriya dhanashri and malkauns; the ragas are still ringing in his ears

after almost five decades. His bhairavi- " Jo bhaje Hari ko sada… " is a

great pacifier of the human mind.

 

Panditji's songs bear a touch of divinity; they

turn even un-Godly hours into serene hours, said a friend of the

writer and an insomniac, who listens to Panditji's songs at odd hours

of night for their soothing effect. Panditji's devotional songs in

Kannada and Marathi in particular, have been a source of inspiration

for many to tread bhakti marga.

 

Pandit Bhimsen Joshi has been conferred Bharat

Ratna; it is a matter of pride for all music lovers, potential bhaktas

and Madhwa's in particular; for Panditji is a Madhwa!

 

Of late, it is understood, Panditji is not keeping

well due to old age; he is in mid eighties. While congratulating him

on his having been honored with Bharat Ratna award, let all of us pray

to Hari, Vayu and guru to bless him with long healthy life to serve

God more through music and to bring many more to the bhakti marga.

 

With best regards,

 

Ramachandra.Tammannacharya.Gutti.

 

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