Maestro Pt Ramakant Gundecha is gone but his spirit remains

When you write your article please attribute any quotes equally to both my brother and me. Whatever I say reflects his thoughts too. You see we speak as one and sing as one" Pt. Ramakant Gundecha told me during an interview at Hyderabad two months ago. The younger of the two Gundecha brothers who revived Dhrupad music and worked relentlessly to spread it across the globe, the tall, energetic and witty Ramakant was also the more expressive one. I watched the guru par excellence patiently guide his students at a teaching session before the interview getting each one to match the note "sa' with the tanpura. "Zara hum bhi ,aapka interview le le" ( let me interview you too) he had said even as his students laughed in amusement when he got me to sing. 'There are no accidents in the universe. Everything is pre-destined and happens as per cosmic design and this includes something as simple as our conversation this morning" his opening remarks came back to me poignantly as the cruel hand of destiny cut short a brilliant career and a life that lived and breathed music. As Dhrupad's brightest star breathed his last in between concerts (he had given one and was on his way to another) grateful students and inheritors of his musical legacy showed their gratitude to the guru by singing his favourite song and one that brought the Gundecha brothers much acclaim. The famous "Kabir das" composition "Jeeni Chadariya' sung mellifluously and meditatively by them ironically became an ode to Pt. Ramkant Gundecha whose short but eventful life has been "unblemished and pure' much like the last lines of the song.

"So chadar sur nar muni odhi,

Odhi ke maili kini chadaryiya

Das Kabir Jatan Kari odhi,

Jyon ki tyon dhar deeni chadariya

(The exquisite tapestry of the body woven by the divine and worn by celestials, saints and humans alike has been invariably defiled but your humble devotee Kabir Das has worn it scrupulously and meticulously, and is returning it to you O' Lord, unblemished and pure)

This favourite sung of his, full of philosophical and spiritual purport sung by grief struck students tears streaming down their faces as his body was consigned to flames was indeed a fitting tribute to the Dhrupad legend. The maestro who was the driving force of the Dhrupad Sansthan that he founded along with his older brother Umakant in Bhopal had envisioned a wide canvas for Dhrupad singing with Dhrupad gurukulams planned across the country and various countries across the globe. "Our Chote guruji taught us patiently sharing whatever he knew with us. I remember how he came driving his car himself to pick us up when we joined the Sansthan. He was so humble and had no airs about being such a well known musician. He was like a father, friend and guru rolled into one and never missed a single teaching session and that's why I am here to take classes despite feeling orphaned after his loss" says Manish Kumar who has been teaching at the Dhrupad Gurukulam at Hyderabad for the last three years. Carrying on his guru's work by spreading Dhrupad is what Manish aspires to do along with many others who have had the privilege of being at the Sansthan that resonates with soulful music for many years now.

"Jeeni Chadariya' sung by students from all over the world on his birthday 24th November declaring it as 'Swar Diwas' is part of the Dhrupad Sansthan's resolve to realise Pt. Ramakant's dream. "We are heart -broken but resolve never to be broken in spirit' say members of the Sansthan guided by Pt. Umakant Gundecha and the other brother Pakhawaj maestro Akhilesh Gundecha.

An unwavering commitment to music has been the hallmark of the Gundecha family as they rally together despite personal loss with music as their ultimate goal. It is in music that they find glimpses of the divine and strength to overcome personal loss. This becomes clear as the magic of the Gundecha brothers continues with Pt Umakant Gundecha and Pt. Ramakant's son Anant Ramakant Gundecha teaming up to give their maiden concert together after the unforeseen tragedy. In this jugalbandi we see commitment beyond compare. We see how music heals, unites and gives strength to complete unfinished tasks. We see the greatest and most profound tribute to a musical legend who accomplished much in a short life span. The maestro is gone but his spirit remains, guiding the Dhrupad family like a Dhruv tara (Pole star).

- AR