mandar karanjkar

May 20, 2013
by Mandar Karanjkar
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Kishori Amonkar Concert- Pune

A few days before, Arya Sangeet Prasarak mandal, Pune had organized a concert to collect relief fund for the drought victims. The concert featured many artists like Pt. Rajan and Sajan Mishra, L. Subramanyam, Ganasaraswati Kishori Amonkar, Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar and Pt. Ronu Majumdar. I, as usual attended the entire concert from early morning and also attended the evening session.

Among all these performers, I was very much curious about the performance of Ganasaraswati Kishori Amonkar. The reason is, she is the artist which I have listened to live very less. Ganasaraswati Kishori Amonkar is running her 81st year. It is so difficult to put the notes at right place at such a high age. But, I think it will be difficult for those who are not totally submerged in music. If your life is devoted to music, you can practice it till your last breath.

Ganasaraswati Kishori Amonkar

L. Subramanyam gave his performance before that of Ganasaraswati Kishori Amonkar. It was really wonderful performance and it was quite difficult to wipe away the spell cast by him. All the atmosphere was filled with the notes of the violin. But, within a few seconds, Ganasaraswati Kishori Amonkar had made her own environment. She started the concert with Raga Kedar. Ganasaraswati Kishori Amonkar was given a vocal support by her disciples, who were very young. But still, it was clearly visible that they were finding it to difficult to sing with the energy level of Kishori Tai. What she sings, the Taan of Jaypur- Atrauli is very pleasant for your ears to listen to, but its a wonder to make them out of your throat. Ganasaraswati Kishori Amonkar was effortless. Her voice was spanning high…higher than ever. It was clearly visible that she is made to sing. She was roaming in the world of notes when I was wondering about how she can do so at this age…

Her performance taught me one thing- If you are dedicated, you become effortless. Then you do not have to worry about the notes, but the notes worry for you. Ganasaraswati Kishori Amonkar truly demonstrated this phenomenon. generally it is said that it is difficult to master even one note. I would not say Kishori Tai has mastered the notes but yes, all the notes are very friendly with her. That’s why she sings effortless……

May 12, 2013
by Mandar Karanjkar
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The Penis Story

A few days before, I was sitting with Dr. Sharangpani, an eminent doctor who was going to deliver a lecture at Vasant Vyakhyanmala at Tilak Smarak Mandir, Pune. As usual, after the lecture was over, we were sitting in the room and having discussion with him. This is a beautiful story told by him and which he says, perfectly describes the situation of patients and doctors today.

A boy, quite nervous, rushes to a nearby surgeon.

Surgeon: What’s the problem?

Boy: For a past few days, I am finding some bluish color on my left testicle.

Doctor: Let me just investigate. (After investigation) It’s something really dangerous. I would advice that the left testicle should be removed as soon as possible.

Boy : Hello, I am just 22. How can it be removed?

Doctor : Look son, we will have to remove it before it goes to your right testicle. We should do it fast.

The boy, nervous and all in sweat finally undergoes the surgery and one testicle is removed. But after three days, he find the same thing, the blue color on sole right testicle.

Doctor: We did delay in removing the infected testicle. This remaining thing should also be removed soon.

The boy, shivering with fear, undergoes the surgery and is now without testicles.

But, the horrible part is, after three days, he again finds the same bluish thing on his penis. Quite horrified, he again goes to Doctor.

Doctor: This infection seems really dangerous. We should cut away the penis.

Boy : Are you mad? I am just 22.

Doctor : I will fix a tube in the place. You just relax and let me take care of the infection.

The surgery takes place. The boy is now without his testicles and penis, with a tube instead. But, to his surprise, he again finds the bluish thing on the tube. He hurriedly rushes to the doctor.

Boy : Doctor, this seems to be really horrible infection. What can be done about it?

Doctor, taken aback, carefully observes the infection.

Doctor : son, sorry to say, it’s nothing but color of your jeans……….

Thank you Dr. Sharangpani for the wonderful story.

April 19, 2013
by Mandar Karanjkar
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Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia – A living wonder

If you consider may be thousands of people, out of them two can appreciate music. If you take thousands of such music appreciating people, out of them one or two will take up some instrument and practice. Out of thousands of such such persons who sit and practice, one or two become great artists. And out of thousands of such great artists, one becomes Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia.

Osho and Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia

Why Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia is so special for me or for all music lovers? Not only that, he is very famous even in the circle of artists. What is so special about this person named Hariprasad Chaurasia? What he is made up of? Even enlightened soul like Osho was in Love with Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia. The reason is, Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia is a unique soul. He is not just an artist, he is much more.

Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia has a breath which is more beautiful than any person breathing on this earth. At the same time, he is one of the most humble personalities which have. He is very positive human being. What is an artist’s music? For me it is nothing but the benediction of your being, your skills, your thoughts as a person and essence of what you are apart from your thoughts.

Whenever I see hariji anywhere, his presence is so pleasant. So, his music is also bound to be pleasant. He is much more than an artist. He has taken efforts to ensure that the stream of music goes on. He has taken enough care that he leaves his music, flute in right hands.

Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia is surely an incarnation of Lord Krishna…..

April 8, 2013
by Mandar Karanjkar
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Dogen – The Zen Master

The way of Zen has given the world many unique masters. Zen flowered and blossomed without limits. Many Zen Masters have attained the peaks of consciousness and helped hundreds of their disciples to attain the same. Zen is so unique, so alive.

Osho tells us about the Zen Master Dogen. Like all other Zen masters, Dogen was unique. It is said that Dogen could read Chinese Poetry at the age of 4. Chinese is one of the most difficult languages to understand and read and write. And still, Dogen used to get absorbed in the poetry books. But soon, both of his parents passed away in short intervals and the day passed, Dogen left his place and went for the search of a master.

Dogen stayed with many masters and practiced all the techniques advised by them. Still he noticed that something is missing. Finally after switching from one teacher to another, he found his master and attained enlightenment.

Dogen says,

To study the way is to study yourself.

This statement of Dogen, explains the quality of his being. What is there in the world other than you? As Kabir says, whatever there is in the world, same is inside you. So, Dogen says, to study the way to divine is to study yourself. Go in, focus within and you are arrived.

I find this message of Dogen , the Zen master very suitable for today’s man. Its very truthful advice- go within. study yourself and the divine is revealed to you. When you work on yourself, the divine knocks your door.

April 7, 2013
by Mandar Karanjkar
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Interview Series at mandarkaranjkar.com

Tomorrow, will be taking interview of Shri. Suresh Pingale, Founder Trustee of Pune International Center, a highly successful exporter of Roses and above all, a very respected name in Pune’s Social life.

List of interviews taken for the readers of mandarkaranjkar.com now contains-

Pt. Shivkumar Sharma
Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia
Ustaad Shujaat Khan
Pt. Nityanand Haldipur
Pt. Sanjeev Abhyankar
Dr. Arvind Thatte
Pt. Ronu Majumdar
Shri. Suresh Pingale

Many more dignitaries will be coming in future to share their experiences with the readers of mandarkaranjkar.com

All these interviews will be published one after one when first slot of ten interviews is completed.

March 19, 2013
by Mandar Karanjkar
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Pt. Mukul Shivputra and Pt. Kumar Gandharva

There is an old proverb that no new tree can grow under a giant tree. This proverb is often used to describe the situation of families of musicians. Many times, it happens that sons and daughters of legends find it very difficult to keep themselves up to the expectations of listeners. Most of the times, the son or the daughter tries to imitate the parent artist and their entire life goes being just an imitation.

Pt. Mukul Shivputra

On these lines, it is very difficult for a son or a daughter to come with his/her own style of performing which is so evolved that listener just forgets to compare it with the parent performer. But there are definitely some genius artists who have achieved this herculean task. All these thoughts came to my mind after a realization that I never compared Pt. Mukul Shivputra with Pt. Kumar Gandharva.

It was really surprising not to compare the son with the father. But, Pt. Mukul Shivputra is in a way incomparable performer. Pt. Kumar gandharva is for sure one of the most innovative and profound artist we had. If you are a son of Pt. Kumar Gandharva, comparison is inevitable. But, Pt. Mukul Shivputra stands above all the comparison.

I have an one and half hour long recording of Raga Malkauns by Pt. Kumar Gandharva. A few days before, I got an chance to listen to Raga Malkauns sung by Pt. Mukul Shivputra. He was playing the same composition which was recorded by Pt. Kumar gandharva. This composition can be said to be the highest peak of Malkauns. Pt. Mukul Shivputra has also sung the same Bandish but in a very unique way. This Bandish also goes to the same peak but it takes a very different way from that of Kumarji. I guess, this is Pt. Mukul Shivputra- reaching same height but in totally different sky.

March 10, 2013
by Mandar Karanjkar
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Pt. Mukul Shivputra- The grace continues

Listening to Pt. Mukul Shivputra has always been like God’s grace. It comes and it goes. When it is there, you enjoy without bothering about anything else. Then suddenly, it goes. Then you pass on the days in the remembrance of the grace. Then again, you start receiving it and you are submerged in it. The concert by Pt. Mukul Shivputra in Pune gave everyone a feel of this grace. Then for next few months, Pt. Mukul Shivputra was showering this grace through his different concerts. Then one day, he just left Pune. The grace had stopped and we were living on the remembrance of his concerts, listening to the recordings again and again. But the grace again comes back. One morning, I found a great link to high quality recordings of Pt. Mukul Shivputra. Without even thinking on it, I downloaded all the links. The very first note of Pt. Mukul Shivputra gave the unique experience, as if you are taking grace of god. All the Ragas which are sung by Pt. Mukul Shivputra, I have heard them from Pt. Kumar Gandharva. It is very difficult job to sing same Bandishes and Ragas as sung by Kumar Gandharva and create your own image. Pt. Mukul Shivputra holds this responsibility very successfully and many times, what the listener feels is, Mukul Shivputra has added many unexplored intricacies to the performance by Pt. Kumar Gandharva. I have no idea, when Pt. mukul Shivputra will again perform live and I will be able to attend the concert. But one thing is for sure, when Pt. Mukul Shivputra was singing; I was there, being a part of the divine music.

February 26, 2013
by Mandar Karanjkar
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Are books dead?

A few months ago, I had gone to teach some students at Akanksha Foundation. I like to teach small kids. One of my friends was working as a teacher with The Akanksha Foundation and so I thought that it will be nice if I also try doing one session with the kids.

We chose the topics ‘Living and Non Living Things’ to be taught. I explained the kids all the properties of living and non living things. They grasped the concept very well. After all this was done, I just asked them to tell out a few examples of both living and non living things. I was getting normal answers like stones, table, pens as non living things. Suddenly, one girl shouted that books are non living things.

She was absolutely right. Books are non living. They do not eat, grow, breathe, reproduce. But still, it was somehow impossible for me to accept books as non living things. Books do not eat; but they feed you. Books do not grow but they help you to grow. Books do not breathe but our breath has some value only because of books. I know, the poor girl will get zero marks if she writes that the books are living things, but in the exam of life she will get zero marks if she considers books as non living things.

February 7, 2013
by Mandar Karanjkar
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Pt. Nityanand Haldipur : a realization

I don’t know actual year when this event took place. It was some ten years ago. I had gone to Mumbai to enjoy my vacations. My aunt lives at Chembur, in Mumbai. It was a normal rule for all of us; study for the year and then go to Mumbai in vacations. This vacation, I was alone there because all of my cousins were out of India. I used to sleep for the days and nights.

Pt. Nityanand Haldipur

One evening, my aunty introduced me to one of her guests who was learning vocal music from Ajit Kadkade. When he came to know that I was also learning music, he gave me a free pass for a concert featuring three artists which starting from the next day in Chembur itself. At that time, I was very choosey about the music I listened. Still as there were no other things to do I decided to go for the concert. I do not even remember the names of other persons who performed in the concert but I still remember Pt. Nityanand Haldipur. I had no big understanding of music at that time so I used to attend concerts just as a formality. But something happened after the performance of Pt. Nityanand Haldipur and hence though I cannot remember what he played that day I can very easily remember Pt. Nityanand Haldipur.

Pt. Nityanand Haldipur was going to conclude the concert. One man was sitting beside me attending the entire concert. From his appearance it was sure that he had come from some faraway place. Pt. Nityanand Haldipur was performing for almost one and half hour and this man near me was totally submerged in the magic of flute while I was seating like a dumb. When this performance by Pt. Nityanand Haldipur was over, the man stood up and joined his hands. He was a man in his sixties. With his hands joined he said, “He is such rare person, at least I could see him” At that time it was beyond my capability to understand what kind of man Pt. Nityanand Haldipur is. Two days before, while listening to Raga Shuddha Sarang performed by him, I was totally lost. Suddenly I fixed an appointment to meet him. I will be meeting him on this Sunday, 10-02-2013

February 3, 2013
by Mandar Karanjkar
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Dohe of Kabir # 6

Saint Kabir makes us stop still with the helps of his two liners, called Doha. This beautiful Doha of Kabir is worth a thousand lines-

माँगन मरण समान है, मत माँगो कोई भीख ।
माँगन से तो मरना भला, यह सतगुरु की सीख

English Translation-

(Do not ask for anything. To ask for anything is like being dead. My master teaches me that it is better to die than to ask for something. )

It can be seen that Saint Kabir is very much against asking. Saint Kabir is not saying that asking money is not desirable or asking for favors is bad. He simply says that all the demands should be stopped. Saint Kabir refers to all demands as begging There must have been some reason behind these lines of Kabir. It is interesting to see the mind of a person who is asking for something. He is not satisfied. All of us are unsatisfied and hence we keep on asking for many things. One more thing is, asking comes out of insecurity. The persons who are insecure are more demanding. Many times, we ask out of our greed. Saint Kabir says, simply drop all the insecurities, greed and leave this habit of asking.

Saint Kabir equates this habit of asking for favors to death. He firmly says that asking for anything is just a sign of being dead. At the end, he says that it is better to die rather than asking favors. The question my come up in the minds of the reader that is it not justified if a really needy person asks for something? The answer is also very clear- when you need something really, you get it without even asking for it. So, if you need something and you ask for it, it shows that you do not have the trust in the existence. If you need something and you do not get it, the conclusion to be drawn is, you do not need it.

Saint Kabir has very rightly said that it is better to be dead than asking for favors. The very process of asking and demanding shows that you do not trust the existence