Ravi Shankar's oldest student: He was the greatest
December 12, 2012  17:27
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Pandit Kartik Kumar, an acclaimed sitarist and Pandit Ravi Shankar's oldest student speaks to Pandit Ravi Shankar.

"Panditji is not dead. For, such a great soul never dies. To me, my Guru was not only a musician -- he was music personified. He was like my teacher, my guide -- a father figure. Though I am 75, I was a kid to him, always.

His music transcended excellence -- it was a unique blend of skill and spirituality. It was simply divine. I have been associated with him since 1958 and during these years, I listened to him with rapt attention, worshipped him like God. In fact, I think Panditji was a part divine -- Shiva, Krishna and Saraswati were parts of him.

I played with him during his collaboration with George Harrison and travelled widely for six long months. It was the best experience of my life. There are so many musicians in this world. But none can be compared to him. For, none have a soul as great as Guruji's.

When his fingers touched the sitar, they always struck the innermost chords of his audience's hearts. He reached out to them through his ragas, his tals. One needed a celestial power to reach that point. And Panditji had that in him. That is why his music was so special, so exclusive.

I spoke to him over telephone about a fortnight ago. On the phone, Guruji blessed me and told me 'keep serving music'. It shocks me when people compare him to Nikhil Bandyopadhyay. I am not saying that Nikhil was a bad sitarist, but there can be no comparison between him and Guruji. In fact, there is no other musician who can be at par.

Guruji was the tallest tower in the musical arena. Those who try to draw comparisons are ignorant. It's a sad day for me and for the world of music, but I am not missing him. He has died a physical death, but his works remain -- they are immortal. His music will rule for a thousand of years. He would often tell me, "Kartik, I want to die on stage."

Alas, that couldn't be. I won't say, may his soul rest in peace. For, I know though his soul may have left his body, it is still with us reverberating with his unforgettable creations."

As told to Rediff.com's Indrani Roy
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