An unparalleled journey in music

When Pandit Jasraj was born, his father Pandit Motiram made him taste honey. This could well be the secret behind the mellifluous and sweet voice of ‘Sangeet Marthand’ Pandit Jasraj that has always sent the audience world over into a mesmerising trance. Many such incidents and happenings in the life of Pandit Jasraj have been brought out in the form of a book Rasraj: Pandit Jasraj authored by Sunita Budhiraja. The book was released at the 46th Pandit Motiram Maniram festival in Hyderabad. For the first time in the history of Hyderabad, this festival took place in the absence of Pandit Jasraj who sang for the Hyderabad audience through live broadcast from USA. 

Says author Sunita Budhiraja, “It was nearly seven years ago when a thought came to my mind about writing this book. Since then my dictaphone would always be ready waiting to speak to Pandit Jasraj, his colleagues in the field of music, family members, friends, disciples and connoisseurs of music. And there would be constant, friendly reminders about the progress of the book from his nephew Ratanmohan Sharma and disciple Tripti Mukherjee. It was this very city of Hyderabad that saw young Pandit Jasraj listen to the songs of Begum Akhtar constantly in a roadside Yakubiya restaurant and get inspired to sing.”

The book tells us little known facts about Panditji. He started his music career as a Tabla player (percussion accompanist). In 1945 he was heckled by a senior musician about producing sound on the ‘dead skin’ tabla instrument. Further one day, he found that an organiser had arranged seating on main stage for only the main vocal artiste and the accompanists were asked to sit in the ‘well area’ down below. Finally in the year 1946, Pandit Jasraj decided to learn vocal music and took an oath not to cut his hair till he learnt singing.

At the time of marriage with Madhura Jasraj, Pandit Jasraj was still finding his bearings in the world of classical music. Family life was not that easy for Madhura Jasraj and it was always a great effort to be happy with what came their way. 

Many students of Pandit Jasraj used to learn and stay at their home. They would help Madhura Jasraj in the kitchen during free time. Madhura also conceived many creative programs like ‘Kanhada Ke Prakar’ and ‘Aath Prahar’ which brought a new trend in organising and appreciation of classical music.

And why this particular title to the book? “It was the suggestion from Santoor maestro Pandit Shivkumar Sharma that the best title for Pandit Jasraj was ‘Rasraj’ given by the late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee”, concludes author Sunita.