EVEN IF THE WORLD ENDS THE MUSIC WILL STILL SURVIVE

Romello Malaviya

Namaskaar. I am Romello Malaviya. I am a retired Production Manager at UP Drugs and Pharmaceutical Ltd Lucknow. I have been collecting autographs from the past 50 years and my collection includes autographs from politicians, sportspersons, Bharat Ratna Awardees, musicians and more. Some of the most precious autographs in my collection are those of Gavaskar, Tendulkar, Mother Teresa, Naushad, Mukesh, Smt Indira Gandhi, Shri Shankar Dayal Sharma and more.

When I hear the word autograph, my world lights up. This word brings with it numerous memories and nostalgia. Sometimes people ask me about my favorite autograph memory and I tell them if you ask a gardener about his favorite flower in the garden, he will not be able to choose one.

Still, I will tell you about that beautiful day, when I met the out worldly Shehnai player, Ustad Bismillah Khan.

It was around end of May in the year 2000, when I was required to go for an official trip to Varanasi. I knew that Khan saahab stayed there, but how was I to get in touch with him?

Since he had performed on Doordarshan several times, I contacted a friend who worked at Doordarshan Lucknow and got his whereabouts.

I called the landline number provided to me and spoke to his grandson Mr Bandey Ali. I was told that Khan saahab resided at the same address but he was not keeping well. Mr Bandey asked me to come over and said that he would let me meet Khan saahab if he was feeling better.

I went to Varanasi to try my luck. Finding my way through the congested lanes, I managed to reach his house in Biniyabagh at about 10 am. It was an old 4 storey building.

I was received by Mr Bandey. I introduced myself and then Mr Bandey took me to a humongous hall which was decorated with huge portraits of Khan saahab’s various performances, while he went to check on Khan saahab.

Mr Bandey came back and requested me to come in the afternoon, as Khan saahab had just woken up.

I agreed to come back at 12.

I went to the Vishwanath temple that was about a km away. On my way back, I bought a box of leechies for Khan saahab.

I reached his house again at 12:30 and this time, Mr Bandey took me to the 3^rd floor from an old staircase.

Finally I saw Khan saahab! He was seated on a charpoy with utmost simplicity. He was waiting for me on an open terrace. There was a room on the side. He used to stay there itself.

I touched his feet and told him that I was there to collect his autograph. I gave him the box of leechies and that brought an innocent smile on his face.

We got into a conversation as he called for tea. We spoke about leechies, dussehri mangoes and Khan saahab’s mesmerising performances.

Then Khan saahab raised the most important question-

 

“Mujhe padhna likhna toh aata nahin hai, main aapko kya likhke doon?”  (I cannot read or write, how do I write a message for you in the autograph)

 

My friend from Doordarshan had already mentioned this to me. I was aware that although Khan saahab could not write, he could sign. He gave me his signatures on the papers I was carrying.

 

“Main aapko kuchh likh ke nahin de sakta, par main zabaani aapko duaye de sakta hoon. Aap zindagi mein kaamyaab rahe!” (I cannot give you anything in writing, but I can give my blessings. I pray that you are successful in life)

 

His words were laden with love and affection. I don’t think I ever enjoyed his shehnai recitals as much as I cherished his magnanimous presence with me!

 

“Beta aap ko aur kya kaam hai Varanasi mein?” (What else have you come to Varanasi for)

“Mai do hi kaam se aaya tha, ek aapse milne, doosra Baba Vishvanath ke darshan karne. 10 se 12 Baba Vishvanath ke darshan ho gaye aur doosra kaam aapse milke ho gaya!” (I came here for 2 reasons, one was to see you and the other was to see the Vishvanath Temple. I saw the temple from 10-12 pm, and now after seeing you the 2^nd objective is also fulfilled)

 

His face lit up as he realized that I had come to see him after travelling 300 kms!

I must have stayed there for half an hour and I have to confess that Ustad Bismillah Khan had a superhuman aura about himself!

IT LITERALLY FELT THAT I WAS TALKING TO GOD IN A HUMAN FORM!

 

 

This article has been written by Pooja Gupta.

She is a freelance writer, anchor and a former Radio Jockey. She travels all across India for hosting shows and she writes everything from ads, articles, promos, short films, screenplays, dialogues, feature films and even web series. For work, she can be contacted on pooja.gupta2178@yahoo.com.