Here is Raag Hameer, kind courtesy Rajan Parrikar ofcourse. Listen to Kumar Gandharva's "Chameli Phooli Champa". Granted that first sam is a bit awkward but what a springfest in that one "phooli"! Shubha Mudgal's rendition of the same sounds amateurish by comparison despite the "fixed" sam. But that is not a very fair comparison.

   Bhaiji's (Vinaya Chandra Maudgalya) bandish brought back a memoryful (is that a word?) of nostalgia for Dilli and old times. I can picture Bhaiji's smiling face, bustling about in the midst of the hustle and bustle at Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, clear, as if it were just yesterday. Such an unassuming person he was. Nowadays when the status of an artist seems proportionally related to their ability to throw tantrums, he quietly went about his business, trained first class musicians, ran a school and composed exquisite bandishes. He learned from Vishnu Digambar Paluskar, GOD himself, but never cashed in on it.

   Such a contrast he was to Basant Thakaar ji whose sarcasm could cut any seventeen year old to pieces. I once heard him muttering this about me --- "pataa nahin kaison kaison ko prabhakar (not the Sulekha one, just to clarify Sangeeta:)) mil jaati hai". I quit shortly thereafter. Was not able to keep up with the rigor of his class. I wonder what became of all those fine students who put in eight to ten hours of abhyaas. 

   Basant Thakaar also said I had an ear. I thought I had two but if he thought I had one, that was just fine too:).

   What wonderful, musical times they were. Kumar Gandharva was a regular visitor there and I attended (at that age was dragged to those concerts by my maami) some very fine private baithaks. I remember particularly Kumar Gandharva's "Aaj Mujhe Raghubar ki Sudhi Aai". So do I remember Vasundhara ji's Bihag. She sang alone. What a superbly beautiful voice! 

   Folks, a beautiful selection once again although I could have very well done without "Madhuban mein Raadika". I have heard that song enough times, blaring on loudspeakers, to last me a life time and then some more.