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Will remain a ‘vidyarthi’ in next birth too: flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia
New Delhi, Nov 14 (IANS) Legendary flautist and Padma Vibhushan recipient Hariprasad Chaurasia, who believes his life is for learning classical music, will open on Sunday, alongside his disciple, a three-month music festival celebrating the ‘guru-shishya parampara, at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Mumbai.
The flute maestro lives and teaches at his gurukul in Uttar Pradesh’s Vrindavan. He has been a life-long disciple of Indian classical music doyen Annapurna Devi.
“She was my mother and my ‘guruma’. I never stopped learning from her, even while she lived with us in the gurukul,” 80-year-old Chaurasia told IANS over telephone.
The 1992 Padma Bhushan recipient said it took over two years for his ‘guruma’ to accept him under his tutelage.
“It took close to 2.5 years. It’s like adopting a child. It takes time for a guru to accept her/his ‘shishya’, but once they do, it’s for life. When they find you worth themselves, they accept you,” he said.
He has also received training from renowned flautist Bholanath Prasanna.
Chaurasia, who teaches disciples all over the world, believes the ‘guru-shishya parampara’ is losing its feet.
“The ‘guru-shishya parampara’ and the ‘gurukul’ tradition is impactful, but is reducing in the classical music scenario.
“Earlier, gurus kept their shishyas like children; Took care of everything from their clothes to their music. They made them practise as per need. These days, the teacher teaches for three hours with an eye on the watch… Unless the student goes to a guru, she/he will never learn classical music properly.”
Asked about his own teachings to his disciples, the master promptly replied that he learns from his students as well.
“My life is for learning music. I am a ‘vidyarthi’ (student) in this birth, and will remain so in the next one as well,” said Chaurasia, who has collaborated with several western artists and composed music for Indian films.
He will be performing along with his disciple Rupak Kulkarni at the “Citi-NCPA Aadi Anant: From Here to Eternity” travelling music festival.
It will feature performances by prominent tabla player Zakir Hussain, sarod maestro Ajmad Ali Khan and Carnatic vocalist-composer Sudha Ragunathan, among others.
The three-month festival will host performances in Pune, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.