We live for moments, the ones that have magic – the
ones we never forget. The magical moment having its own silver lining, Moment
of sheer joy, where words turn meaningless, you turn speechless, but experience
bliss! For Krishna, that moment happened in life. It is in these moments that
contentment resides – The moments of astonishment! Krishna fondly recalls,
“Ustad ji recognized my father and called him to sit next to him. My father
introduced me to Ustad ji. My eyes were full of tears, and I was dumbfounded. I
did not know what to talk or how to react! I was indeed, a bundle of emotions!
My father asked Ustad ji to bless me for which Ustad
Ji replied “ Mera Aasheervadh Har vakth hai inke paas, Lekin mei inko sunna chahtha
hun” ( My blessing is always with him But, I want to hear him playing). This
was the first sentence spoken to me by Ustad ji ! These words are always etched
in my mind”, says the ecstatic Krishna Ballesh. You could feel the tears of
pride and joy evoked through the craft works and words of Ustad ji, even now
when he recalls about Ustad Bismillah Khan!
Krishna continues, “ My father accompanied me. After
a few minutes of me playing, Ustad ji ordered his son to play Tabla as to
accompany us. I played Raag Madhu Vanthi – with some alaps and chota kyaals. I
was on cloud nine, when my humble little efforts were acknowledged by Ustad ji,
with “Waah”, “Kya Bath hai bête”. My joys knew no bounds that day. You would
have heard people saying about blissful moments or whatever. I experienced it
on that day. A day to be cherished in my life forever in Golden Carpet is that
day! Guruji was kind enough to say to my
father to send me with him so that he can train me. And, my father readily
accepted!!”
From then on, seven and half years of training
sessions on the Banarusi Gharana Shehnai style playing in Khayal Gayaki ang,
Thumari ang ,Dhun and Kajri style. He has enabled him to refine technique and
mastery. He performed in Ganga Ustav in Benaras & son of Ustad ji, Ustad
Nazim Hussain Khan accompanied in Tabla.
Krishna proudly recalls the association with Ustad
Nazzim Hussain, son of Ustad Bismillah Khan! “We were more like siblings.
Sharing the same taste in music, practicing jugalbandhis on and off! When I was
about to leave Benaras, I was down with pox. Husain took care of me like his
kid. I felt, after Ustad ji’s death, Hussain has taken place of his father in
terms of his love! “
Krishna Ballesh has been accompanying his father for
the past 10 + years and has given several Solo performances in several Sabhas
in India & Abroad & also performed for culturals events with his
father. In Chennai,Ganayogi Panchakshara Sangeet Sammellan,He has performed
with Surmani Samrat and Karnataka Rajostav Puraskar Awarde Violinist Sri.
VEERASHWAR MADRI of Dilruba & Shehnai Jugalbandhi with the Gayaki Ang
,taans and tone. He has given some jugalbandhi concerts with vocalist, veena,
violin, dilruba, flute, harmonium with various artists of Hindustani and
Carnatic musicians.
He has performed before Dr. Gangubai hangal, Dr.
Rajkumar, Swami Jayendre Saraswathi Swamigal, Dr L.Subramanium, Pt Hari Prasad
Chaurasiya Maestro Illayaraaja, S.P.Balasubramaniu, Hamsalekha,Violin Maestro
M.S.Gopalkrishna, P.B.Srinivas, M.S.Viswanath, G.K.Venkatesh, S.Janaki,
Vanijairam, Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan, M.Balamurali Krishna, Violinist
Chandrasekaran, Pt M.Venkatesh kumar, Pt Shivanand Patil, Pt Vinayak Torvi , Pt
Somnath Mardur,etc..
Despite all these stalwarts, performing with Ustad
Bismillah Khan sir was considered to be a blessing to Pt.Krishna Ballesh. For
the Shehnai King, along with his student bodies, Pt.Krishna Ballesh is
organizing a tribute “Ras Barse Utsav” on April 11, 2015, In memory of Sri
Sanna Bhrammana and Ustad Bismillah Khan . When your clock strikes 05.30 pm IST
sharp, make your presence, to Chinamaya Heritage centre to witness the magical
moments.
And that is how, Pandit Krishna Ballesh is now
serving to music through his academy, Tansen Academy of Music. Yeah, I
understand, how did this Engineering Graduate, founded Tansen Academy of Music,
to propagate Hindustani ? Hold on for the next post,
Until then,
Lots of love,
Riya J
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