Sur Prabhat on 26th Jan, 2007

Every year on 26th January, we look forward to "Sur Prabhat" organized by Rajguru Smriti at Chitrakala Parishath. Usually the music concerts are held all-night long or in the evenings. Most of the times, I can never sit through the all-night concerts. So I rarely get to listen to the morning ragas live in a concert. "Sur Prabhat" is one event that gives me the opportunity to enjoy the morning ragas. An added luxury is that we get to listen to the soul stirring music amidst nature in an open space.:)

This year's "Sur Prabhat" was more special to me because the eminent musician performing this time was none other than Sanjeev Abhayankar. For those of you who do not know, Sanjeev is the disciple of Pandit Jasraj. In fact, you can see the impact of the guru in Sanjeev's voice and his style of singing. I have always enjoyed listening to his records. So this was one occasion for which I was eagerly waiting.

Sanjeev began the concert with Raag Ahir Bhairav, continued with Bhatiyar and sang a self-composed holi song. And then he presented a beautiful bandish of Raag Charukeshi which is very rarely sung and he ended the concert with Raag Bhairavi. He said that the environment was a perfect one for the morning concert and he was inspired by it.

It was a beautiful experience sitting amidst greenery and listening to the mellifluous yet powerful voice of Sanjeev Abhayanakar. His ease at the toughest taans, his expertise in the raagas and his interaction with the audience made the concert more interesting and enjoyable. For a moment I forgot the real world and got drifted away in the soulful music.

I hope we will get to attend such concerts again and again. We definitely need more of such concerts to rejuvenate ourselves. :)

Thought for 25th Jan

"My whole effort is to make your morality spontaneous. You should be conscious and alert, and respond to every situation with absolute consciousness. Then whatever you do is right. It is not a question of actions being right or wrong, it is a question of consciousness - whether you are doing it consciously or unconsciously like a robot."

- Osho

A no-no to spreading :( instead of :)

She is in high spirits. She looks so happy and contented. I try to get inspired by her good mood. But then I feel that I have to share this thing that has been bothering me since yesterday. I always feel the need to share my thoughts with her as we have always been very close pals. So I cry my heart out to her. She listens to me and assures me that things will get better with time. I feel a bit relieved after talking to her. I get back to my work. And then I meet her after a couple of hours. But now I see that she is completely out of the happy mood. In fact, she looks very gloomy and lost. She tells me that she has been thinking about the matter that I had shared with her. I leave her desk cursing myself and feeling guilty about spreading the somberness to my friend instead of cheer. I make a quiet resolution then and there that from now on I shall only propagate smiles and nothing else. After all, I want the sunshine back on my pal's face.

Closer to death

How does a person feel when he knows that he might die any moment? What runs through his mind when he is lying on the hospital suffering the torment? Does his mind wish for the freedom from the pain and suffering or does he hope for a miracle? How does he feel when he looks at his loved ones shedding silent tears and praying for him? Does he pray for one more opportunity to live life to the fullest? Does he repent about the life that he has already lived? Does he recall all his incomplete wishes? Does he feel like fighting back or just surrender to fate?

Not sure that any of us understand what goes on in his mind. Not sure I understand.