SPOTLIGHT
ONCE UPON A RAAG
Pandits Rajan and Sajan Mishra, exponents of the khayal style of Indian classical music.
By MANOSHI CHATTERJEE
Growing up in a place of natural beauty, the mornings in my home were accompanied by the beautiful melodies of Bade Ghulam Ali Khan’s Prem ke maare katar and Bhor bhayi, bringing a sense of serenity and harmony to the start of the day.
The maestro’s voice had a profound effect on me, often bringing tears to my eyes with its longing and beauty. My father, a devoted aficionado of Indian classical music, made sure that our household was immersed in its rich tradition.
Instead of toys or games, for my birthday, I received audio cassettes featuring legendary artistes like Begum Parveen Sultana, Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty and Pandits Rajan-Sajan Mishra. In the remote industrial area in Madhya Pradesh, now Chhattisgarh, there were few opportunities to attend live classical concerts, but my guru, Mrs Soni, stressed the importance of diving into real music. She’d say, “Jo kano mein utarta hai wahi aawaz mein dhal kar nikalta hai”. Loosely translated, “True mastery comes from understanding the essence of what reaches the ears”.
Every evening, after practising for an hour, I’d listen to my music cassettes. In those moments I started to understand the master musicians’ performances better, finding new beauty and complexity in each note.
Pandits Rajan-Sajan ji’s rendition of Aiso navan laadli in Jaijaivanti captivated me, with their bold voices softening as they sang Main to kari aayi piya sang... in Puriya. During those years, I dreamt of hearing them in person. They were like my “virtual” gurus from whom I had learned a lot through their music. However, as life moved forward, my priorities shifted, and I couldn’t continue with Indian classical music. When I moved to Canada, I almost lost touch with music, as the challenges of being a new immigrant left me with little time for anything else.
After about seven years, in 2010, I became acquainted with Raag-Mala and started volunteering for the organization. In 2015, during a concert, I remember asking Mohamed Khaki, who was president at that time, when he planned to bring Pandits Rajan-Sajan Mishra for a concert. With a smile, he replied, “In 2017 or 2018”. Little did I know then how far in advance Raag-Mala planned their events. I joined the Board later that year.
As I write this, I’m reminded of when Pandits Rajan-Sajan ji graced our Raag-Mala stage exactly six years ago, in April 2018. It was a privilege to have the opportunity to spend time with them and receive their blessings.
During a casual conversation with Pandit Rajan ji, I praised the talents of contemporary artistes and their ability to showcase their artistry in a two-hour concert. In response, he posed a thought-provoking analogy, asking if I appreciated a single beauty mark on a lady’s chin. When I said I did, he questioned if I would appreciate it if they were spread all over her face. He elaborated that, similarly, artistes may possess immense talent in their voice, but condensing it into a two-hour concert doesn’t fully showcase their artistry. It requires “thahraav” (pause) and patience to truly bring out the beauty of a raga.
When Rajan and Sajan ji were returning to their hotel after lunch, I presented them with my newly released CD. Aware of their busy schedule and fatigue, I politely asked if they could listen to it in the car on their way. I was aware that they likely received numerous CDs from others. Later that evening, before the concert, as I touched their feet, they took the time to share their appreciation for the poetry and music in my album. That moment stood as the greatest compliment and blessing of the day, perhaps the most significant blessing I’ve ever received.
Manoshi Chatterjee interviewed Pandits Rajan and Sajan Mishra in Toronto.
They had travelled by car from the US and were understandably tired after the journey. I had a scheduled interview with them for a TV program. Despite their exhaustion, they graciously agreed to the interview in the venue’s greenroom since they couldn’t make it to the studio.
During the concert, Pandits Rajan-Sajan ji remembered to thank and acknowledge every artiste and accompanist on the stage. They were the epitome of simplicity and humility, truly remarkable individuals. Sajan ji’s love and respect for his elder brother was evident and admirable. The anecdotes they shared with the Raag-Mala team were not just stories but valuable lessons, enriching our understanding of music and life itself. In their presence, we were not only listeners but also students, inspired by their wisdom and artistry. We will forever cherish the memory of Rajan-Sajan ji’s marvelous performance. The legacy of Rajan-Sajan ji as revered musicians will continue to inspire generations to come, as their influence remains eternal in the world of Indian classical music.
• Manoshi Chatterjee is a Raag-Mala Toronto team member.
Raag-Mala’s April 2024 concert
Two-part Raag-Mala event with Abhisek Lahiri on sarod, Indranil Mallick on tabla and vocalist Omkar Dadarkar, accompanied by Sanjay Deshpande on tabla, Siddhesh Bicholkar on harmonium.
When and where: 4:00 pm, April 21, Nanji Family Foundation Auditorium, Agha Khan Museum, 77 Wynford Drive, Toronto. More at raagmala.ca.