Pandit Habib Khan Day
Swara sounds drifted our way as we entered the large home in San Jose where the annual Pandit Habib Khan Day was being celebrated. This marks the day when all the students of the Saraswati Temple and Gurukul, perform for Guruji in the Guru-Shishya Tradition.
A sizable crowd of students, parents and well-wishers had gathered to witness the students perform, whether it was singing or playing their instruments. The house was packed, with its balcony view - even the stairs were filled with the visitors.
To our surprise, we heard 3 the student performers up front, start the Sawari composition. And what a great performance it was too. Pallavi, who was standing close to me in the audience started singing along. And Rohan sitting on the stairs, started doing the actions and I could see his lips moving as he silently sang along as well.
And of course, there was the performance by the Jeena Kids - Anirudh, Anu, Pallavi, Raj,Rohan, me (Hari) and not to forget our parents. We sang both the Sawari composition in Raag Bhimpalsi and Gopala in Raag Bhopali. With each performance, starting with the Mexican Heritage Theatre to Jeena Yahan to today, confidence increases. I definitely felt I sung out loud, more today, which was both a relief and a joy, culminated by a huge round of applause from the audience. All of us certainly did well today. Guruji gave a very moving account of his experience of working with us to the audience and we were each given a surprise gift at the end of our performance - a set of 7 CD's of Guruji. Thanks Guruji.
All the students performing there today were indeed a talented bunch. It is hard to say which performance was better than the other. My personal favorites of the day were the Sawari composition (both by the 3 students and the Jeena Kids), the tabla recital and the ghazal sung by Shefali.
Guruji was at the side playing the harmonium throughout the day and Davidji was on the other side, fine-tuning the sound system and playing the tabla. My other teachers Sanjanaji, Rubyji and Rekhaji were also present, encouraging the students along and organizing the performances of the day.
An absolutely enchanting morning of the sounds of young talent pouring forth in sur-sangeet.