What has changed in Banaras after PM Modi’s arrival? Read the interview of Padma Bhushan Pandit Chhannulal Mishra

New Delhi: Padma Bhushan Pandit Chhannulal Mishra, a practitioner, worshipper and devotee of classical music, has turned 87 years old. On hearing the word classical music, the childlike playfulness, innocence and tenderness start jumping around in him/her again. Talking to him/her is always like getting something new from a guru. I talked to him/her Salil Pandey Here are the important excerpts from the conversation:It is very hot. What are the ragas or song traditions for singing and driving away the heat in summer?

Heat can be neutralized by water. That is why Kajli (Kajri) songs were sung. If the sadhana is good then the clouds start to stir while singing Kajli song ‘Barsan Laagi Badariya Ho Rama’. To get rid of the heat of summer, Kajli songs are sung in the rainy season, as soon as the sun’s power starts to be ousted from the sky and the clouds start to rule. Kajli, the song of the rainy season, is called Varshi Chhand. Kajli song is also related to being sung on the occasion of Yogeshwar Shri Krishna’s sister Yogmaya coming to earth after being freed from Kansa’s hands. Yogmaya descended on Vindhya mountain. It can also be seen in this way that when the mother power is around, then the feeling of coolness and peace is more.

How do you see Banaras now after PM Modi’s arrival? How do you find it?

As soon as he/she arrived, Banaras was truly built and became lively. Its appearance and colour improved. The narrowness vanished. Kashi became huge and vast. The roads became beautiful and wide. The pace increased.

Has the Kashi of faith become the Kashi of tourism and picnic?

‘Munde-Munde Matirbhinna: It can also be said as ‘Jaaki Rahi Bhavna Jaisi, Hari Murat Dekhi Tin Jaisi’. This is Baba Vishwanath’s Kashi which is different from the three worlds. Mahadev listens to the voice of the mind, not the tongue.

You have been serving music since the age of 5. What did you lose and what did you gain in such a long journey?

The Lord dwells in music. Lord Vishnu, who himself embodies the pastimes, says, ‘I do not dwell in Vaikuntha nor in the hearts of Yogis, but I dwell where My devotees sing, O Narada!’ This means, ‘O Devarshi! I do not dwell in Vaikuntha or in the hearts of Yogis. I dwell near devotees where devotees chant My Name. Here the Lord has not mentioned ‘bhajanti’ and ‘dhyayanti’ but ‘gayanti’. So I can say that I have done more than I could have done and I am not missing out on sharing and plundering. If music does not hurt anyone why will it hurt Me?

Your world famous Holi song is- ‘Khelen Masane Me Holi Digambar’. Recently some people had actually reached the crematorium of Manikarnika to play Holi. How do you view this?

It is a matter of great spiritual significance. Only Mahadev, the God of time, in the form of Mahakaal, can play Holi in the crematorium. Death is apocalypse. Mahadev is the observer of the apocalypse. If no other god has the ability to ‘dance, sing and play the damru’, then what about a normal human being? Yashoda’s Lalla Kanhaiya plays Holi with the Gopikas on Holi, but Mahadev plays Holi continuously in ‘Manikarnika situated on the path of death’. Death is an eternal truth. Therefore, to prevent even his/her ghosts and spirits from becoming uncontrolled, Mahadev went and sat on the ‘crematorium’. As far as going to Manikarnika and playing Holi is concerned, normal people should not sing or dance in the crematorium. The form of Mahadev’s dance is also different. When Mahadev gives Maa Parvati the opportunity to dance, it is called ‘Lasya Nritya’. This Lasya Nritya is a form of the soft emotion of a woman, while Mahadev’s Tandava Nritya is called ‘Nritya’. This is a male-indicating dance. The shlokas of Shiv Tandava contain both feminine lasya and male dance. Everyone passes through two phases of birth and death. At the time of birth, ‘Sohar Geet’ is sung while at the time of death, Nirgun. Therefore, only Nirgun songs should be sung at the crematorium.

Nowadays teachers avoid teaching everything. People also say that do not teach everything, save something for yourself as well. Can anything be saved?

The ocean of music is as deep as the infinity of the entire universe and the water of the sea. The music teacher should also have the attitude of ‘both hands are used’. he/she is the true teacher who increases the weight of the disciple.

You have seen the entire era of music after independence. What changed in such a long time, what was left behind, what remained the same?

A song sung in classical style creates an atmosphere of entertainment for the people. Just singing a raga cannot be called classical music. Recently, the trend of singing a raga has increased. Proper knowledge of the nuances of classical music is essential. Film songs have not played a significant role in the development of classical music. Sometimes some songs leave an impact. The song ‘Madhuvan Mein Radhika Nache Re’ has become popular. For classical music, at the initial level, it is necessary to understand 6 ragas and 30 raginis.

What would you say about the status and contribution of Banaras Gharana in the field of music?

The Banaras gharana is the leader among all the gharanas. Its guru was Tumburu Rishi. he/she had initiated and trained Narada in music. Its specialty can be understood from the verse ‘Keshav kahi na jaai ka kahiyo’. This sentiment was expressed from the mouth of the bodiless Brahma. It means that the glory of the Banaras gharana keeps resonating in the air waves.