Shankar at Sawai

This video brought back memories of my first visit to Sawai Gandharva in 2002. I was never really a fan of classical music until then, and I am not much of a fan even now. But I still remember Bhimsen's performance of "kanhoba tuzi ghongadi". It started around 2am and it was one of the few occasions when I have felt close to the divine being. The first time I ever felt this way was back when I was in 9th standard and visited the Vivekananda Smarak Sheela at Kanyakumari. I stood at one side of the Smarak looking at the endless waters around me and I still remember the thought of jumping in and being a part of it crossed my mind.

Coming back to that performance, I did not understand Bhimsen, the classical virtuoso, but it will be an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life.

When Bhimsen passed away earlier this year, a friend said the news brought tears to his eyes. And again I did not understand what would trigger that sort of emotion from someone, especially since I had never known him as that big a fan of Bhimsen or music in general. But when Shankar switched to "Maze maher" in the above video and the focus appeared on Bhimsen's photo, watching it in the near dark and lonely atmosphere of my office, I must admit that a lump did lodge up my throat.