'Social media and AI are tools; they can amplify, archive, and connect, but they cannot replace emotion, discipline, or the years of riyaaz that go into becoming a musician.'
One of India's greatest music legends, Pandit Jasraj leaves behind a storied legacy spanning almost eight decades.
Jatin-Lalit's music score for Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge is one of the best-selling soundtracks of all times and their Pehla Nasha is a song for the ages.
Pandit Jasraj's son, Shaarang Dev Pandit, performed the last rites, which were followed by a 21-gun salute at Vile Parle's Pawan Hans Crematorium.
Awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Shri, Pandit Jasraj also popularised semi-classical music like 'haveli sangeet' and reached out to devotees with his 'bhajans', a particular favourite for his fans being "Om Namo Bhagavate" in praise of Lord Krishna.
All his disciples across the globe feel he was closest to them. All his friends believe he loved them the most. Just like every gopi in Brijbhoomi felt Krishna was closest to her. Pandit Jasraj didn't have acquaintances; he had friends, recalls his biographer Sunita Budhiraja.
The mesmerising and familiar image of Pandit Jasraj saying 'Jai Ho' and then raising his hands to mark the beginning of his performances will now remain only in the fond memories of thousands of Jasraj's fans and followers across the globe, remembers Ankur Biplav.
Pandit Jasraj's daughter Durga Jasraj will soon produce a Hindi film with a number of Indian classical songs.
In 1973, several major leading ladies like Mumtaz, Raakhee, Jaya Bhaduri, Dimple Kapadia, Tanuja, had married and retired from films. Producers wanted a new heroine as a replacement. Many thought Sulakshana was a Mumtaz lookalike and was soon persuaded to sign on multiple films as a leading lady.
'The largest listenership for Vividh Bharati outside the country is in Spain.' 'The labourers who go there for the tomato-picking season feel cut off from their country and listen to Vividh Bharati to overcome their loneliness.'
Disciples and followers of music legend Pandit Jasraj in the United States paid their tributes to the Indian classical vocalist and described his passing away as an irreparable loss to India and its cultural heritage while fondly recalling his humble and gentle nature.
Responding to a tweet by Subramaniam, Modi said it was a brilliant rendition.
The MPs include ruling Bharatiya Janata Party leaders Meenakshi Lekhi, Anant Kumar Hegde and Parvesh Singh.
'Lataji, Ghalib, Beethoven and Shakespeare are far removed from the normal chain of human civilisation.' 'If they were just role models, how come no one was able to achieve an iota of their perfection?' 'They are a kind of intruders who come as reminders of the rule of mediocrity that prevails.'
'Anyone who heard her sing was left with a lump in the throat.'
'For those who like romance in their music, I suggest they search for this song.'
The list of recommendations for this year's Padma awards shows that some people had suggested multiple candidates while others had pushed for their relatives and friends for the coveted civil honours, a Right To Information reply revealed.
'If you are a performer, it's easier to sustain.' 'The day you think you are a star, it becomes difficult.'
Designer Gaurang Shah brought traditional India alive on the ramp in the most stunning manner.
Maharaj-ji, as he was popularly known, died surrounded by his family and disciples.
Pandit Jasraj, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma and Javed Akhtar will perform on the occasion of National Flag Day on August 31.
A look at the pictures.
Pictures from the heart-wrenching funeral.
The ace music composer breathed his last on September 5.
'Where the maestro has gone, I am sure Krishna would himself listen to his soulful music.' Sunita Budhiraja recounts her encounters with Balamurali Krishna whose music touched the lives of millions.
A look at the film folk who attended the Zee Classic Timeless Asha concert.
The band was launched last month to mark Rahman's 48th birthday
The pandemic is taking a deep, emotional, scarring toll. Will we survive, asks Shruti Vyas. If we do, will we be the same?
India-China relations have always attracted Parliament's attention and there have always been useful and productive and constructive discussions how to engage with China, notes Rup Narayan Das.
While nearly 200 members were present in the Lok Sabha chamber, a little over 30 were seated in the visitors' gallery located above the main chamber.
The top posts on social media from your favourite Bollywood celebrities.
'There is no one who can fill the vacuum created by the passing of Girija Devi,' mourns Sunita Budhiraja.
How are we allowing an entire generation to grow up with no clear sense of identity and no knowledge of their incredibly rich cultural heritage, asks Anjuli Bhargava.
Brijmohan Lall Munjal was a perfectionist, who empathised with people who worked for him.
'I sat down and asked them what they would want in their new school. One student said a football field, another one asked for computers. One little girl came and sat next to me and said, "A separate toilet for the girls." I think these small things make a huge difference in the future of education in India,' Nita Ambani tells Aseem Chhabra/Rediff.com
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