'Pandit Bhimsen Joshi will live on through his music'

Pandit Bhimsen Joshi is fondly remembered by artistes who feel blessed they were associated with the legend.

He worked relentlessly to promote Hindustani classical music
Brought up in a family of musicians, I was initiated into playing the sitar and Rudra veena by my father, late Pandit Hindagandharva Shivarambuwa Divekar. Panditji was a very good friend of my father’s and both of them were instrumental in establishing the Arya Sangeet Prasarak Mandal (ASPM). Thus, I knew him personally because he met my father often.

It is all because of Panditji’s hard work that ASPM is where it is today. The support and inspiration that Panditji provided in promoting Hindustani classical music in India and abroad were beyond words. I don’t think there will ever be anyone of his calibre to fill the void.

I salute his relentless efforts in showing us the way forward. He showered everyone with love and inspired many. Very few people can ever do the kind of work he did for this form of music. 

It was in 1953 that the Sawai Gandharva music festival was started by ASPM to commemorate the first death anniversary of Panditji’s guru. This festival is still celebrated with great fervour in Pune.

Pandit Hindraj Divekar, Rudra veena & sitar player

Panditji’s words influenced my parents and I began my journey into music
My memories of Panditji go back to 1981 when I was 11 or 12 years old. He heard me singing at a private concert. At that point of time, my parents were in a dilemma about whether to let me pursue music full-time or not. When Panditji heard me, he advised my parents to allow me to devote myself to music. He said, “This boy is from the line of Sant Dnyaneshwar.” His words meant a lot, though at that time I didn’t get the significance of what he said. Today, I am humbled by those words. What he said deeply influenced my parents’ decision. That was the turning point in my life.

When I was 20, he again gave my career a defining start by inviting me to perform at Sawai Gandharva, in front of a crowd of 10,000 people. It was a significant and privileged moment.
Again in 1991, when he called to congratulate me for the national award I received for Godmother, I felt like I had received another national award. He blessed me with his words.

Musically, he is an inspiration for five generations of musicians. I admire three of his qualities the most — his voice that leaves the audience enthralled; his love for music as a whole and thirdly, his passion for his work that was evident every time he sang. He was a mehfil ka badshah. He ensured that the audience was with him when he performed. He extended the experience to all the listeners. This is possible when an artiste is ashtavardhan — someone who can skilfully perform eight tasks simultaneously. He was a maestro who mesmerised everyone with his music and humility.

Panditji motivated many artistes and ensured they put in their best. He was a man of few words; he let his deeds speak for him. I have grown as a musician by just observing him.
 
Sanjeev Abhyankar, vocalist

The way Panditji connected with his audience  was magical and he left listeners spellbound
Panditji has inspired many generations of musicians and artistes, not only in India but also all over the world. He has a far-reaching popularity, which cannot be confined to a country or generation. He carved his own niche with his work. Panditji is an idol for many and his work will keep lighting our lives.

He was an artiste who could enthrall everyone with his captivating voice. He was popular because of the way he could instantly connect with his audience. His bhajans, thumris and natyasangeet left listeners spellbound. Panditji’s alaaps and taans particularly, transferred people to a world of bliss.

I have been fortunate to have got a chance to accompany Panditji at many of his concerts. So, I have experienced his magic as a master performer. His music knew no boundaries.
All over the world, people love and respect Panditji and his work. He influenced a range of musicians. I feel truly privileged to have played with him. He will remain in my heart as one of the greatest artistes ever.

Chaitanya Kunte, harmonium player

‘I don’t want a golden life; whatever gold there is, is in my voice,’ he would say
Pandit Bhimsen Joshi was a gaane ka jadugar and had a godly soul that is gone with him now. Panditji and I, with 20 other people, founded the Sawai Gandharva music festival in Pune 58 years ago. I, along with Hirabai Barodekar and other eminent names in Hindustani classical music, had performed at the first festival.

The world will always see music concerts and music aspirants will find gurus, but there will never be a concert that will have the same spirit or a guru like Panditji. He was sent to the earth with the grand gift of a heavenly voice.

I always saw him in a simple kurta and jacket. He was extremely down to earth and said he never wanted a golden life; “whatever gold there is, is in my voice”, he used to say. He would carry a small bag in which he kept his paandaan. He was always happy to spend the evening with his friends. I had met him in Mumbai five years ago, but stayed in touch with him over the phone.

A celebrated exponent of the Kirana gharana of Khansaheb Abdul Karim Khan, Panditji enriched the gharana further with his gifted voice. He will remain the most powerful figure of khayal gayaki. I have witnessed the way he used to provide a sublime experience to his audience. People would be happy just seeing him take his place on the stage; his singing afterwards would be a heavenly experience.

Ustad Halim Jaffer Khan, sitar player

The way he presented his gayaki is unmatched
I had gone to pay my last respects and it is difficult for me to say anything. It’s a great loss for all of us. I have always looked up to him and grown up listening to his recordings. The way he presented his gayaki, sur and taan is unmatched. He was a committed singer who understood the subtle nuances of raga and aalap. I am too young to say anything about his musical intelligence. He was not only an extraordinary musician, but also a great human being. His simplicity, humility and the way he promoted the younger generation was commendable. He was a legend and his memories will always remain alive in our heart.        

Rahul Deshpande, singer

His voice will remain an inspiration for all of us
Pandit Bhimsen Joshi’s work has inspired me in many ways. I was fortunate to meet Panditji and receive the Dattopant Deshpande Puraskar from him. He was not only an extraordinary artiste, but also a great person.

He lived his life to the fullest. Panditji’s attitude towards life reflected in his art as well. His stature is beyond anyone’s reach. That is how legends are. He made a name for himself and influenced artistes all over the world. He is not with us now, but his voice will remain an inspiration for all of us.

Anuradha Kuber, vocalist, Bhendi Bazaar gharana

Panditji had a divine energy; his presence was magical
Panditji was the biggest name in the music industry. I have grown up listening to his music. Speaking about an artiste of his stature is a tough task for me, but I can say that he had divine energy. I travelled with him on many occasions and got an opportunity to perform with him. His presence was just magical.

I have no words to describe his talent. I have learnt a lot from Panditji and he was a great inspiration for many. There are very few good people in this world and he was one of them. He struggled a lot lately due to his illness, but today he is resting in peace. It’s a great loss for Indian classical music, but his work will remain alive forever.   
Vijay Ghate, tabla player

Panditji will be deeply missed:

He was more than the stars or the moon and the sun to the world of music. It is very sad and it hurts to know that a legend like him has been snatched away from us.
Pandit Jasraj, vocalist

People like Bhimsenji never die. They continue to live on with their vast body of work. He has trained many disciples and he will continue to live on through their music. A particular facet of his personality I remember is that he was very fond of driving and would even drive from Pune to Kolkata for mehfils. Such was his dedication that he would be on the stage within one hour of reaching the destination and sing for hours together, late into the night. Everything about his music was magical.
Arun Date, singer

For decades, we have seen and heard him perform so closely. It’s hard to believe he is not among us today. When Panditji used to start performing, he would forget everything else and sing from his heart. What made him great as an artiste was that he sang from his soul. However, he also mastered the art of engaging people
in his soulful renditions.
Suresh Talwalkar, tabla artiste

This is the greatest loss to the music world. His influence on me is immeasurable. Besides being a great musician, he was a very good man. His praise meant everything to me.
Pandit Prabhakar Karekar, vocalist

It is a great loss for Indian classical music, and especially to the Kirana gharana. He was like my elder brother. We were together at the Sawai Gandharva festival in December. He spoke to me through gestures.
Begum Parveen Sultana, vocalist

I still remember my first performance at the Sawai Gandharva festival as a young dancer. Panditji used to invite senior and young artistes and would personally look after each of us. There was so much humility in his persona. He treated every artiste with utmost respect. That’s the mark of a true artiste. He was like the shining sun of classical music.
Sucheta Bhide Chapekar, Bharatnatyam danseuse

I’m speechless with shock. When he sang, it was like god or rather Lord Shiva himself singing. We grew up listening to him. He was a great soul.
Pandit Ronu Majumdar, flautist

When I was nine, he came to our house to hear me and my brother play. I always remained that little girl to him. I know all his recordings by heart. They are incomparable.
Kala Ramnath, violinist