Swarganga

Throughout her life, she consciously and discerningly sought out all that was good and true in life. Music was her one and only passion. She devoted herself to bringing the pure gayaki (style of singing) of her gharana to the people. Even when she appreciated certain aspects of other gharanas, she never allowed herself to be carried away by their influence. If something she liked naturally found its way into her singing, she never rejected it either.

She believed, “If our roots are deeply embedded and our foundation is firm, we should welcome the peacocks and sparrows that may come our way. But we should never borrow their wings.”

This account of a revered maestro, whose noble thoughts and musical journey formed an unbroken stream in the tradition of Indian classical music, is as enriching to read as it is delightful to experience.