Tribute to my Guruji
Pt. Vindhya Prasad Gaur (Gaur Sahib)
February 1907 - December 2005
I am extremely fortunate and blessed with my Guruji's love, affection and blessings. Whatever music sense and sensibilities I have acquired, I feel those are my Guru's blessings to me!
My Guruji Pt. Vindhya Prasad Gaur from whom I have learned almost 11 years, was originally from Lucknow, India. He was contemporary of Pt. V.G Jog (Violin maestro). They were guru-bhai (learnt from the same guru).
Initially he received training form his father (Shri Durga Prasad Gaur) and his cousin brothers (Jwala Prasad, Ram Sahay, Dalip Ram and Ayodhya Prasad). Later he received training from Mirza Maqsood Ali, Md. Osman Khan, Avval Khan, Pt. Govind Narayan Natu and Pt. Ratan Jankar.
My Guruji originally is from Lucknow. He had extensively traveled all over India. To my good fortune he had finally chosen to settle down in Patna, Bihar (India). He was the head of the music department of 'Vindhya Kala Mandir', Patna. This institution is affiliated with Bhat-Kahande Sangeet Vidyapith, Lucknow.
His music was his 'Saadhna'(prayer) and his 'Shradhanjali' (offerings) to the divine. He kept his music away from the lime-light and public performances. In his early years he only performed once a year in the temple at Janakpurdham. In his prime he had declined several invitations to perform in 'Sangeet Sammelan' (music conferences) and recording offers from HMV( I wish he didn't though!).
For more than 11 years I was his 'shaagird' (student). I have wonderful memories of our sessions together. He was very fond of me and wanted me to learn the true essence of music. He was very liberal and unorthodox in many ways when it came to training. He used to say "beta, khoob soono aur koshish karo doosron kee achaayeeyon ko apne mein dhaalne kee". (Listen extensively to other artists and try to incorporate their good qualities into your singing and make it your own).
As he was not a very public person, initially he was reluctant to give me permission to audition for 'All India Radio' but eventually he did. He was very happy and proud when I got accepted for both classical and light music!
His philosophy and some of the comments are engraved in my head for ever! I take them as my life lessons. I vividly remember him saying "beta, taaliyon ke pichhe mat bhaag, pahele sooron kee pahachan to karle! Beta, jab chand beech aasmaan mein ho, tab usey oongliyoun se dikhane ki zarurat nahi hoti, log khood-bakhood dekhtein hain aur sarhaatein haien" (Don't chase after name or fame, get acquainted with true music first. If you are good, people will admire and appreciate you on their own. When the moon is in the mid-sky people will appreciate it on their own without someone telling them).
I seek my Guruji's blessings to continue my journey as truthfully and sincerely as I can.
