Karam Kar Dije...

Dear Ustad Rashid Khan, I am writing this three weeks after your departure to your heavenly abode, because I still feel shocked by the news. I still feel overwhelmed while listening to your rendition of ‘Karam Kar Dije’ in Raag Des.

I had learnt some basic classical music till 9th grade, but never felt the fascination. I never found it boring, but didn’t find it much interesting as well. I started listening to classical music last August. Only because my father used to scold me every day for not doing so. At first, I listened to some renditions of Raag Bihag by Pt Ajoy Chakraborty and Pt Rajan Sajan Mishra. Didn’t feel so boring. So I kept listening. Without realizing it, I became completely immersed in the deep, divine ocean. And I love it here!

I think classical music is something you can only feel the flavor of if it comes from within you. You have to discover your music.

You helped me discover that, dear Ustad. Your rendition of ‘Aao Balma’ in Raag Yaman amazed me - it still does. A prodigy who was officially declared the heir of Pt Bhimsen Joshi himself, despite being from a different and distinct gharana. Your prowess in portraying various moods with the same efficiency is unparalleled. Divinity in your voice is simply singular.

I couldn’t explain to myself why I cried so much after hearing the news of your demise. Felt like one of my close relatives passed away - whom I had many splendid memories with. For some reason, I felt the pain deep in my heart. I still do.

Your singing helped me look into the raagas. Even though I am not learning professionally, I always read about the raagas I’m listening to. Try to realize distinctions between two gharanas; specific notes, and patterns which distinguish two raagas. But most importantly, I try to realize the Bhaav. Why is a Bandish being rendered in one specific way? What does the singer want to express? One thing I like the most about classical music is that - In pop culture and Bollywood, songs have versions, and covers by various other singers. But here we have ‘renditions’. I.e. what the singer understood in a raag and what does he want to convey to his audience. A rendition involves not only the swars but also the performer’s contemplation about them, about the raag’s ras, and the lyrics.

In classical music, the audience doesn’t just ‘listen’ to a raag. They experience it through the performer's mind and throat. Classical music is a different kind of symphony. It is open to interpretation, but also it has rare uniformity.

Moreover, classical music is not wholly about singing. Even if you listen to vocals, you get to realize the creativity of the Tabla, Harmonium, and Sarangi players. It makes you understand their contribution to the rendition.

It feels amazing when the raag’s रस hits you on the very first note and trust me; it doesn’t happen often. You can’t get the satisfaction of correctly anticipating a specific note in a raag anywhere else. It feels delightful when you start to perceive the distinguishing factor between two similar raagas, or when you realize how the smallest of modifications can entirely change the raag and thus create a different raag altogether. Believe me when I say that listening to classical music is a blissful experience.

Thank you, dear Ustad, for always being there with the most comprehensive set of soulful renditions in all moods. Thank you for giving me some of the most divine experiences. My heart will always yearn for your presence...

P.S. Here is the link of his rendition of Karam Kar Dije in Raag Des mentioned in the article. Do listen!