Tags:
Journalism of Courage
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T D. Janorikar
Musician |
STRINGS of the tanpura blend with a deep sonorous voice. A small group of students listen in rapt attention as the voice elaborates an alap marked with melodious meends and forceful gamaks. At 81, Pandit T D Janorikar8217;s house in Kothrud, a Pune suburb, continues to resonate with the sound of music.
This gifted singer from the small but well-known Bhendibazar Gharana Lata Mangeshkar8217;s musical lineage can be traced to this gharana is in his own inimitable style keeping the tradition alive by passing on his knowledge to his students. Though age may have weakened him a little, his zest for music is to be seen to be believed. 8216;8216;I just performed on AIR two days ago,8217;8217; says the octogenarian singer, who wants to continue singing and teaching as long as he lives.
8216;8216;Music is my life and has been from childhood,8217;8217; he says, smiling. 8216;8216;My mother had a sweet voice. She died early and her father, knowing of my interest in music, decided to teach me,8217;8217; recollects Janorikar, who, though he does not come from a musical family, insisted on a singing career and, began his training under Pandit Vinayakrao Patwardhan of the Gwalior Gharana.
8216;8216;I learnt under him for 12 years till I heard of the Bhendibazar Gharana. I soon became a shagird of Ustad Aman Ali Khansahib and after his demise, studied under Anjanabai Malpekar,8217;8217; says Janorikar, who went on to create his own repertoire.
Wanting to promote the unique Bhendibazaar gharana, he took to teaching even while he was performing. 8216;8216;In 1953, when AIR started in Pune, I was the first to render a recital of this style. It was a whole new experience,8217;8217; he remembers.
Today, Pt Janorikar struggles to save the gharana from complete obscurity. 8216;8216;Yes, there was a lull when very few took up this form,8217;8217; he admits, well aware of the fact that he is perhaps one of the last remaining musicians of the gharana. So determined is he in his tireless campaign to rescue the gharana that Janorikar takes in as many students as he possibly can enroll in his classes.
In fact, Janorikar even shifted the venue of the classes from the nearby Deccan Gymkhana to his own home so that the short distance did not tire him. 8216;8216;Most of my students have become successful singers and are keeping the tradition alive,8217;8217; he says with a satisfied air.
A patient teacher, Pt Janorikar8217;s day begins at 5 am with yoga followed by morning and evening riyaz sessions. His students come towards the afternoon and he diligently sits with them explaining the finer nuances of the style. 8216;8216;I am very particular about pronunciation and presentation, with voice culture being the most important. If a student is not well-versed in this aspect, I give him or her breathing techniques to get it correct.8217;8217; Janorikar believes in giving his students individual attention and also encourages them to learn other styles. 8216;8216;I am not strict. I give my students a free hand,8217;8217; says the recent Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar awardee.
As for his students, the guru wants to set up an academy of the Bhendibazar Gharana and hopes to get the cooperation of the government. 8216;8216;I hope the government will gift me land to keep the gharana alive,8217;8217; he says with a twinkle in his eye. 8216;8216;Music aficionados could make my dream come true,8217;8217; he smiles, before getting back to his students.
