Remembering a Friend

When we were in school,Shrikant was tired of the mediocrity of conventional pedagogy and pedantic teachers. He would mimic most of his teachers with impeccable accuracy. His sharp observations made his mimicry so hilarious that we could never control our laughter even after his performance for us! Of course,there was no malice or disrespect in his heart. One of our close friends,Datta Chitale joined him in college as his mimicking comrade to make our evenings livelier. All his friends,such as Suresh Karve,Sudhir Gore,Mohan Kuber,Sarang Lonkar,Bal Renvikar and so on,found a sanctuary in Alapini,Shrikant’s house in Pune.

After my work travels,when I would visit Alapini,it would feel like I’m back home. Shrikant would spontaneously organise a gathering of all common friends. His wife Sheela too joined us in our conversations. Once,Shrikant was desperately looking for his marriage certificate because he needed it to sign some financial deal. Sheela asked him irritatingly,“Why are you looking for our marriage certificate?” Shrikant,in a mischievous tone,said,“Because I want to check the expiry date on the certificate!” His presence of mind and natural sense of humor brought life into any gathering.

Over time,Shrikant became more and more serious about his musical career. He initially began to learn with Saraswati Rane and later from Pandit Bhimsen Joshi. He would accompany Pandit Bhimsen Joshi to major concerts and,like any alert student,he would pick up the subtleties of different ragas. He soon began to enthrall audiences with his mellifluous voice.

On December 13,1976,on my wife’s birthday,he sang at my humble house in Delhi. A couple of times,he also sang in Hyderabad while I was there. He also gave three public performances in a matter of two years in Allahabad when I was Vice Chancellor of the University of Allahabad. I still cannot get over the sight of enthralled audiences and excellent press reports after his performances.

In December 2010,I recall getting a sudden phone call about his illness. I rushed to Pune to spend time with him. Shrikant always took illness in his stride and he was blooming with his sense of humour and mocking the notion of death itself. Later,he even called to inform me that he was going to sing at Hyderabad on Feb 4,2011. However,on January 29,he completed the journey of his life.

Like all his friends,I felt empty from within. It is going to be hard to reconcile to the fact that he is no longer here. Nevertheless,we friends will carry on his mission of promoting classical music,along with his wife Sheela. Also,from the example set by him,we ought to learn to cherish the charm of different relationships with warmth and humour.