I could feel the tears roll down my cheeks when I got the sad news of Smt. Vidushi Girija Devi’s demise. It wasn’t the first time that I had such an experience on knowing of the demise of an artiste - as far as I can remember, I had similar experiences when I heard of the demise of Bharat Ratna Pt. Ravi Shankar, Bharat Ratna Pt. Bhimsen Joshi and Smt. Vidushi Kishori Amonkar. My love for classical music was shaped by my father and I grew up listening to these greats.
I did not know Smt. Girija Devi personally. But what can be more personal than the relationship between an ardent rasika and an even more ardent gayika? I have attended her concerts whenever time and circumstance have permitted and I silently thank the stars for allowing these to have happened. I remember attending an ITC Sangeet Sammelan in Mumbai when I was still a teenager - Ustad Rashid Khan was then a scholar at the ITC Sangeet Research Academy. My father had received an invite and I found myself seated in the front row! A little while into his concert I noticed a lady walk in and take her seat in the front row, on the other side of the aisle. Rashid Khan saab offered his namaskars to her and I turned to see who it was. And that was my first memory of seeing the lady I had listened to, and revered, in person.
Many years later I made it a point to attend her concert at Chowdaiah Hall, Bengaluru. She was older alright, but hadn’t lost her spunk (if I may say so!); her presence was one of humility and divinity, and her lovely, silver paan box found its place next to the electronic taanpura. Her silver braid and lines on the face added to the naughty sparkle held within her eyes. The concert was running a bit behind schedule and she first apologised for the delay and said she would sing till she was asked to stop! The minute she began, I felt that instant connect from her soul to mine, through the medium of music. Friends who have been lucky enough to have known her personally, have shared many of their experiences and I could only listen with envy. For those who were blessed with her affection, she was 'appaji'.
Girija Devi's music will never die. She has left behind some wonderful music and trained some very capable disciples who will be the torch bearers of her legacy. That is the greatness of such artistes who leave behind a legacy that continues to enrich the cultural wealth that our Nation possesses.
Girija Devi as a teacher, in this rendition of the Raga Bilaskhani Todi:
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