National
Kolkata bids adieu to classical music icon Girija Devi
Kolkata, Oct 25 (IANS) Eminent musicians, artistes and filmmakers here on Wednesday bid a tearful adieu to late Indian classical music icon Girija Devi, observing the legend passed away “like a queen”.
The ‘Queen of Thumri’ and “Appaji” as she was lovingly called by her admirers and disciples, died on Tuesday at a private hospital here following a cardiac arrest. She was 88.
Her mortal remains were brought at the ITC Sangeet Research Academy (SRA) here for the public to pay homage. Her last rites would be performed on Thursday in Varanasi.
“There was no change in ‘sur’ even though she was 88. Her vocal prowess remained the same even till her last days. She was extremely affectionate,” said National Award winning filmmaker Goutam Ghose after paying his last respects to the veteran at the SRA auditorium.
Sarod maestro Pandit Tejendra Narayan Majumdar noted her love for life and people reflected in her musical pursuits.
“She loved life and loved people and her singing reflected that sentiment. That’s why she died like a queen, surrounded by everyone’s wishes and love,” Majumdar said.
The Padma Vibhushan singer played a key role in popularising and raising the profile of thumri, that gave her the appellation ‘Thumri Queen’.
Celebrated faces from the music fraternity such as singer Indranil Sen and vocalist Ustad Rashid Khan offered wreaths and garlands and recalled their experiences with the thumri exponent.
After formation of the ITC Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata in 1978, the Varanasi-born Girija Devi shifted base to the eastern metropolis after prodding from the institute’s then director Vijay Kichlu.
She immediately fell in love with the city.
“There is a deep love for music and culture. The musicians get lot of respect. The boys and girls are very keen learners. But studies take up so much of their time, they hardly have any free time to practise. In contrast, we used to practise for five/six hours,” she had once said.
Girija Devi had been a Guru for over a decade at the SRA, after which she was a visiting professor at the Banaras Hindu University. She rejoined the organisation in 2003.
The SRA in a Facebook post said: “Her association with SRA from its inception leaves us with innumerable moments and memories which have inspired her thousands of disciples, millions of followers and the entire music fraternity, forever. We pray for the eternal peace of her soul. Her music, spirit and invaluable guidance, which we have all been fortunate enough to witness and receive, shall always remain with us.”
–IANS
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Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.
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