ABDUL KARIM SAHIB AND MIRIAM MAKABE

It was indeed a matter of great pleasure to know that Pt.Bhimsen Joshi was awarded with the Bharat Ratna, the biggest award of recognition in India. Being a great admirer of the maestro, the moment I heard about the announcement I switched on some of my Panditji collections.

But I write this small piece to not to write on Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, but to express my surprise of listening to a small piece of music of another great master of the yesteryears that too of Kirana Gharana, the Gharana in which Pt.Bhimsen Joshi belongs to. A friend introduced me to a Saveri Rag rendering by Ustad Abdul Karim Khan Sahib. I remember reading sometimes in the past that once Ustad recorded a Carnatic composition by Thyagaraja. I am not very sure whether the one which I listen is of Thyagaraja. The wordings of Khan Sahib are not that audible to identify. It starts with ‘Ente Nerchina…’ and my friend Sajith opined that it might be a Patanam Subramania Iyer composition.

Many Karim Sahib’ renderings are available online and I request all readers to the celestial music of the great master who passed away in 1930s.
While noting down these lines the news about the demise of the great African singer Miram Makeba came in. As Nelson Mandela mentioned in his obituary message, Makeba was really the mother of Africa and she was rightly and affectionately called as Mama Africa. She sang for the freedom of a continent and hence certainly for the peace loving people of all the worlds. Her music stood against apartheid and she suffered all kind of humiliation from the ‘White’ arrogance. While noting down these lines, in the background I listen to her famous composition 'Pata Pata' and she made all Africans to dance into that tunes since 1960s onwards.

It was just a matter of coincidence that I wrote about Abdul Karim Sahib’s and Makeba’s music in one posting. But at the same time there is something which binds both of their legacies, which is undoubtedly the Music. ( Pics: 1. Miriam Makabe 2. Ustad Abdul Karim Sahib with his desciple Savai Gandharva)

When Mandela hails Obama

My 13 year old son asked me about three years back, ' Dad, whom do you rate as the greatest human being alive at present?'. I had no immediate reply. But after a short break, I told him that I personally feel proud to be alive on Earth when Nelson Mandela is alive. I do not want to write anything on Mandela and his outstanding life here. Except my strong appreciation about him, all other things on him have already been written by many in many words.
This morning, definitely a fine morning, after Barack Obama was elected by the people of the United States of America as thier next President, I recieved a mail from a solidarity group. The mail carried a forwared message of Nelson Mandela congratulating Obama. I was not fascinated by the fact that Mandela appreciated Obama's victory. But I was carried away by the words chosen by the greatest leader of the human kind at present. Let me quote: "Your victory has demonstrated that no person anywhere in the world should not dare to dream of wanting to change the world for a better place"
Yes, it is an amazing call for the entire world to dare to dream. If Obama could dare to dream in a country like the US, Mandela wanted to tell the world that all could have the courage to do so. I shall quote the remaining portions of the Mandela's message to Obama:
"We note and applaud your commitment to supporting the cause of peace and security around the world. We trust that you will also make it the mission of your presidency to combat the scourge of poverty and disease everywhere."We wish you strength and fortitude in the challenging days and years that lie ahead. We are sure you will ultimately achieve your dream of making the United States of America a full partner in a community of nations committed to peace and prosperity for all"

With warm regards and affection
SGK

Obama and Gandhi

I hope you too might have seen the pictures of the office room of Barac Obama, the elect-President of the United States of America. A photograph of Gandhi adorns the walls of his room along with Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King. What does the pics on one's walls signify? I think there is an important content in having Gandhi's photo in Obama's room. Gandhi, in the History may not be needing the recognition or certification from Obama. But, as far as the new world is concerned, it is an important moment. I don't think it is Gandhi's principles of non-vilolence or struggle against imperialism that made the entry of his photo possible into Obama's room. It could be the Gandhian way of conflict resolution that might have atrracted him. Obama, having realised that majority of the rest of the world hates the American regime of the last decade, might have internalised the problems and hence the Gandhi image of reconciliation and conflict resolution might have emerged as a way ahead. I do not know up to what extend I am right in this regard. As Indians or Internationals, I think we can debate on the pic of Gandhi on the walls of Obama's room.

imagine,there is a Jail!

Hi All,

Two days back, I was standing inside a 16th century Portuguese Fort in Goa, India. Just another fort, not as big or magnificent as many other forts across the world. To me, it looked like a soldier's foot towards the sea. I am sure, when it was made, it was cemented with unlimited arrogance of power. What surprised me was not the fort but jail in the fort with cells facing the sea. A jail cell with a view! Dear reader, Imagine for a moment- a cell which has three thick walls and one side facing the roaring seas! I do not know who all were destined to spend solitary lives in those rooms. We don't have any account. But, I request you to imagine your fate if you could have been there in solitary confinement. Could you have written poetry? Could you have appreciated a sun set in front of you?

Thanks you for visiting my blog.

All the best

SGK