Remembering Abba... Ustad Vilyat Khan Sahib

A legend - Ustad Vilayat Khan Sahib 

 My Guru, My Mentor, My Inspiration 

(August 28,1928 to March 13, 2004)

Learning from a good teacher can sometimes be more profound than education itself.

This is how I feel about Ustad Vilayat Khan Sahib, whom we (his students) called Abba out of respect and love.

Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to learn from him for long. 

However, whatever time I spent with him was very valuable... every moment spent with him is an unforgettable experience of my life. 

Teaching is one of the noblest professions. 

A good teacher not only helps students gain knowledge but also helps them recognize their strengths and weaknesses. 

Once, he told me that apart from practicing the lessons taught by the teacher, students should also improve their personal skills and caliber. They should enhance their 'Soach' - their thought process, which is essential in shaping an individual's personal life.

Another time, he told me that, as part of his family tradition, he was given two names at his birth. Vilayat Khan and  Kanha Singh. He was born on Janamashtami. 

He was one of the greatest musicians of all time. Recipient of the 'Bharat Sitar Samrat' by the Artists Association of India and 'Aftab-e-Sitar' (the bright Sun of the Sitar) by the President of India, Ustad Vilayat Khan looms so great over the Sitar world. He is a legend because he changed the way the Sitar was played. He invented a new style of Sitar playing called the Gayaki-Ang - the singing or vocal style. People often said that he sings with his fingers. Today, the wave of Gayaki-style instrumental music he set in motion has influenced the current Sitar music. 

                       

                                        Ustad Vilayat Khan Sahib with Sitar in a Mehfil

                             Lata Mangeshkar ji and Madan Mohan ji sitting in the audience

His renderings of the folk songs of different parts of India were also unique. 

His renditions of Chaiti, Bhatiyali, and Durga Bhavaani-Dayaani brought out the same deep emotions in listeners' hearts. 

One day, he heard a beggar woman singing in the street. He invited her to sing for him, paid her generously, and rendered her song as a bandish (composition) at a concert the next evening. 

A musician's legacy consists of his style and his contributions to the world of music. 

Therefore, Ustad Vilayat Khan ranks among the greatest artists of the 20th century.

Though I did not have much time to learn from him and serve him, I feel fortunate to have received abundant love and blessings from him and Amma (his wife). 

His elder son Ustad Shujat Hussain Khan is also a legend in his own way and one of the greatest Sitar players of this time. I am ever so grateful to him and his younger brother Hidayat Khan for their continual love and friendship. 

                                         " Rajan Sachdeva"

                                                       Memories I will always cherish 

 He will always live in the hearts and minds of millions

Through his heavenly divine music for centuries to come 

माहिर-ए-गुफ़्तार चुप हैं The Masters of Speech are Silent

गूंगों को तकल्लुम के मवाक़े हैं मयस्सर 

और माहिर-ए-गुफ़्तार बड़ी देर से चुप हैं 

                  (अज्ञात लेखक)

तकल्लुम             = वार्तालाप, बात चीत, भाषण, Speech, Communication 

मवाक़े                 =   मौक़े अवसर Opportunities 

मयस्सर               = हासिल, मिल जाना  Available 

माहिर-ए-गुफ़्तार  =  प्रभावशाली वक्ता, वाक्-कला में निपुण Masters of speech,  Eloquent Speakers

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Goongon ko Takallum kay Mavaqaay hain mayassar 

Aur Mahir-e-Guftaar badi der say chup hain

                             (Writer Unknown)

English Translation:

Opportunities to speak are available even to the mute.

And yet, the masters of speech have long remained silent. 

      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Takallum    =  Speech, Conversation, Lecture  

Mavaqaay   = Opportunities

Mayassar    = Available 

Mahir-e-Guftaar  = Masters of speech, Eloquent Speakers

तुमने जाना है तो चले जाओ... If you must leave, then leave

तुमने जाना है तो चले जाओ मगर याद रहे 

लौटने वालों के फिर वही रुतबे नहीं रहते 

Tum nay jaana hai to chalay jao, magar yaad rahay

Lautnay walon kay phir wo hi rutbay nahin rehtay

                        (Unknown)

           English translation

If you must leave, then leave ... but bear this in mind:

Those who return never quite command the same stature and prestige again.

Happy Senior Citizen Day

Today, we honor the wisdom, resilience, and love that our senior citizens bring into our lives.
They are the storytellers of our past, the keepers of our traditions, and the guiding lights for future generations. Through their years of life experience, they remind us of the enduring values of patience, kindness, perseverance, and compassion. 

Our seniors have not only witnessed the changing world, but they have also helped shape it. 

Their experiences teach us lessons that cannot be found in books, and their presence gives us a sense of strength, continuity, and belonging.
Let us respect, appreciate, and cherish our seniors.
They are the pillars of our families and communities ... The pillars of strength, wisdom, and inspiration.

Age is mind over matter
If you don't mind,
it doesn't matter
(Mark Twain)

Now Some Funny quotes 

Happy independence Day India भारतीय स्वतंत्रता दिवस की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ

        Happy independence Day India

भारतीय स्वतंत्रता दिवस की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ

भारत का गौरव हमेशा बढ़ता रहे।

आइए, देश की एकता और अखंडता के लिए मिलकर आगे बढ़ें।

जय हिंद!  वंदे मातरम्!

I alone am supreme एक मैं ही मैं हूँ बाक़ी सब मेरे मोहताज़ हैं

बस एक मैं ही मैं हूँ बाक़ी सब मेरे मोहताज़ हैं

ऐसा कहने वाले भी देखो मिट्टी में मिल गए

                 (लेखक अज्ञात, नामालूम)

Bas ek main hi main hoon baaki sab meray mohtaaj hain

Aisa kehnay waalay bhi dekho mitti mein mil gaye

                                (Author unknown)

English translation:

 I alone am supreme and all-powerful; all others depend on me 

 Behold, even those who spoke thus have turned to dust.

सही वक़्त पर क़दर कीजिए

सही वक़्त पर ही क़दर करने का फायदा होता है। 

दीपक में घी डालना तभी तक सार्थक है जब तक वो जल रहा है 

बुझने के बाद उसमें घी या तेल डालना निरर्थक है। 

इंसान की क़दर और आदर भी समय रहते ही करने चाहिए। 

बाद में किया गया आदर कोई आदर नहीं होता।

उनके चले जाने के बाद तो सिर्फ अफ़सोस होता है... क़दर नहीं। 

 

किसी के जाने के बाद न तो व्यक्तिगत तौर पर उनसे कोई लाभ लिया जा सकता है 

और न ही बाद में किए गए आदर से उन्हें कोई लाभ होगा।  

इसलिए समय रहते ही अपने बुज़ुर्गों, गुरुजनों, संबंधियों, मित्रों और नेक इंसानों की क़दर कीजिए 

उनका आदर कीजिए और उनके अनुभवों से लाभ उठाने का प्रयत्न कीजिए। 

                                        " राजन सचदेव " 

Appreciate at the Right Time

Valuing and appreciating at the right time is what truly matters.

Adding ghee to a lamp is meaningful only while it is still burning;

pouring ghee or oil into it after it has gone out is useless.

Similarly, one must value and respect people while there is still time. 

Respect shown later is no respect at all;

once they are gone, there is only regret...not appreciation.

After someone has departed, neither can one derive any personal benefit from them, nor does the respect shown later benefit them in any way.

Therefore, value your elders, relatives, friends, teachers, and good people while there is still time.

Respect them, appreciate their significance, and strive to benefit from their wisdom and experiences. 

                                       " Rajan Sachdeva"

You cannot change the people आप लोगों को नहीं बदल सकते

Today I found a profound and thought-provoking quote that said:

"You cannot change the people around you 
But 
You can change the people around you."

               Please read again and contemplate.

                             " Rajan Sachdeva "

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

आज एक बहुत गहरा और विचारणीय उद्धरण (Quotation) पढ़ने को मिला: - 

"आप अपने आस-पास के लोगों को नहीं बदल सकते 

लेकिन

आप अपने आस-पास के लोगों को बदल सकते हैं। " 

            कृपया दोबारा पढ़ें और इस पर विचार करें।

                          " राजन सचदेव "

दोष ना दीजे बरसता देख बादल को - दिल को हल्का करने का हक़ तो सभी को है

राह-ए-हक़ पे चलने का हक़ तो सभी को है

आगे बढ़ते रहने का हक़ तो सभी को है

दोष ना दीजे बरसता देख बादल को 

दिल को हल्का करने का हक़ तो सभी को है 

आपकी मर्ज़ी है मानो या ना मानो, पर 

बात अपनी कहने का हक़ तो सभी को है 

सोच सब की अपनी है - अपने ख़्याल हैं 

अपने ढंग से रहने का हक़ तो सभी को है 

देख कर उड़ता किसी को रश्क़ ना कीजे 

'राजन' ऊँचा उठने का हक़ तो सभी को है 

                       " राजन सचदेव " 

रश्क़ =  ईर्ष्या   Jealousy, Envy