Sai Ram - The Late Pandit Bhimsen Joshi was an ardent Devotee of Bhagawan

[ysj sai]

 

Pandit Bhimsen Gururaj Joshi - February 4, 1922 - January 24, 2011 was an Genius in the Hindustani classical Musical tradition. A member of the Kirana Gharana (school), he is renowned for the khayal form of singing, as well as for his popular renditions of devotional music (bhajans and abhangs). He was the most recent recipient of the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, awarded in 2008.  Late Pandit Bhimsen Joshi's music has been hailed by both the critics and the masses. His performances had been said to have been marked by spontaneity, accurate notes, dizzyingly-paced taans which make use of his exceptional voice training, and a mastery over rhythm. What distinguished him from the ordinary was his powerful voice, amazing breath control, fine musical sensibility and unwavering grasp of the fundamentals that made him the supreme Hindustani vocalist, representing a subtle fusion of intelligence and passion that imparted life and excitement to his music.  "He is a man of few words. His is a spartan lifestyle," says Tulsidas Borkar, veteran harmonium player who has been his accompanist at numerous concerts. "Even in America Panditji happily stuck to his staple 'Jhunka-bhakar' meal," Borkar remembers.  He once said "I am still a shaagird (student). I have a long way to go. What Humility for a Genuis who has achieved everything in Life. An Ardent Devotee of Swami, He came to Prasanthi Nilayam many times to have Darshan and to perform before the Lord. Below is a Wonderful Interview he once gave to a Marathi Daily with regards to Bhagawan : Q : When did you first have Swami's Darshan ? Panditji : I had Baba's first darshan at the residence of the renowned singer Smt. Hirabai Barodekar. In His Divine presence I sang a bhajan also. After that I had several opportunities of visiting Puttaparthi to have his darshans and to sing bhajans in His presence. Q. When did you have the experience of Baba's divine powers? Ans. I have myself seen Baba performing many miracles. I have seen Swami creating several things and gifting them to the devotees. I have always been experiencing His Divinity. I have always felt that Baba is God Himself. I am fortunate to have His blessings. Whenever I went to Him with certain questions, Baba answered them even without my asking them since the I have stopped asking questions. He Himself asks, "What do you want?" I always ask Him for His love and blessings. There is no doubt that Baba has great miraculous powers but I can not explain them in words. Yes, I myself have experienced that Divine Power several times in my life. Q. Some people criticize Baba's miracles. What is your opinion? Ans. Who is the one whom people have not criticized. Even Rama and Krishna were not spared. They were also criticized. The important fact to be noted is that Baba has never asked people to come to Him and worship Him. Those who have faith in Him, may go to Him. Those who do not have faith may not go to Him. Those who have full faith in Him, generally have good experiences in their lives. If you have faith in God, there is no place for doubt. Faith and doubt can not exist together. If you have doubts, go to Him and your doubts will be resolved. In my opinion, the good work He is doing for the welfare of the poor and the needy - free health services in hospitals, freee education and pure drinking water projects are his greatest miracles. Q. How has Baba blessed you in your life? Ans. When I go to Him and have His darshan I experience bliss-ananda. This ananda is the result of his blessings. Therefore I always seek his blessings only. Two years ago, I had two major operations - one of them being a brain tumour operation. I received His blessings on both there occasions and my operations were successful.

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