Tribute to two legends

A two-day tribute in memeory of Ustad Allarakha Khan and Smt. Baeshwari Devi was organised by the Madhu Murchhana organisation. The tribute, in the form of musical evenings was the brainchild of the the founder of the organisation Dr. Soma Gosh, and she was helped my many sponsors.

Smt. Bageshwari Devi of Banarash Gharana was Dr. Ghosh’s guru. Bageshwari Devi’s favourite instrumentalist, the legendary Ustad Bismillah Khan Sahib, was invited to perform on the first day. And on the second day, the legendary tabla Samrat Pt. Kishan Maharaj played in memory of his dear friend Ustad Allarakha Khan.

Others who performed at the two-day concert were Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, Pt. Tarun Bhattacharya (disciple of Pt. Ravi Shankar) and Smt. Neela Bhagwat of Gwalior Gharana. Dr. Ghosh too gave a performance of the thumris which impressed Ustad Bismillah Khan. He later blessed Dr. Ghosh a bright future.
Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh, State Home Minister Shri Kripa Shanker Singh, and Shri Sunil Dutt honoured Ustad Bismillah Khan with a shawl. A plaque was given to Shri Surendra Mishara, the son of late Smt. Bageshwari Devi.

As a grand finale Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan had the crowd in raptures with not only shehnai-playing but also with his talk. He pointed out that nothing can be achieved if there is no tapasya, and one has to practice regularly, only then can one become a siddha. He also said that “one can do anything... But before doing an act, one has to think for a minute and ask weather he/she is doing the right thing. Only then can we become better human beings, and the society can become a better place.”

On the second day, when the tribute was being paid to Ustad Allarakha Khan, Ammaji, the wife of the late Ustad was presented a plaque by the tabla Samrat, Pt. Kishan Maharaj. Pt. Kishan Maharaj spoke highly of the late Ustad and talked about their friendship. He was visibly moved and later gave a tabla recital for over an hour.

Ustad Zakir Hussain called up Dr. Ghosh to thank her for the love and honour shown to his dear father, Ustad Allarakha Khan.

The evening further came alive with the anecdotes narrated by chief guest Naushad and Kishan Maharaj about their friendship. Harish Bhimani and Ritu Raj were the comperes for the two evenings.

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