Pandit Vs Pandit

IT'S said that at great heights, the halo trembles. For there is always turbulence in the stratosphere. But this time, the strong whiffs of discontent have touched ground levels. And there is a puncture in the awe. The first stone was cast by Pandit Jasraj who shed his sophisticated tolerance of all God's men. Pandit Ravi Shankar would not have been his choice for this year's Bharat Ratna. "If a musician receives the Bharat Ratna I'll be the happiest person in this country, for I see happiness in the recognition of music. But it is difficult to believe that the Bharat Ratna could be given to a man who had once gone on record and said 'I disown this country'. After his stint as an MP when he was denied the piece of land that was promised to him, he said he would have nothing to do with this country. I've nothing against a great musician like Ravi Shankar, but to adorn a man who will disown his country for a fistful of land with the Bharat Ratna is ridiculous. There are so many musicians and artistes who have respected, loved and served the country all their lives, why couldn't they have been chosen?"

Sukanya Shankar chose to answer, because her husband "is too hurt to speak about this now. He wants to convey that he loves Jasraj, that he loves Jasraj's music and that he wants to just play his music and be left alone. About all the allegations, anyone can have his own perception, it won't bother him."

Supplementing an earlier allegation that the sitar genius had lobbied with MPs for the award, Jasraj says: "Lobbying for the Bharat Ratna is not anything new, it happens. But the recipient should at least be someone who has not abused the country on record." At the same time, Jasraj maintains that he may probably even pay to watch Ravi Shankar.

Pandit Jasraj has flaunted his wound, but there are not many who are ready to go to him with a soothing balm. There is enough salt going around, though. Girish Karnad almost spits out the word 'Jasraj' when he says: "Jasraj has made an ass of himself. His howls are characteristic of the jealousy and viciousness that define our public life today. Jasraj has accused Ravi Shankar of lobbying for his Bharat Ratna. It's difficult to see why Ravi Shankar should have even needed to do so, since there were enough of his admirers 'lobbying' on his behalf. I am one of them. Unknown to Ravi Shankar, we have been for years urging New Delhi to bestow the honour on him."

Karnad's stand is that, as a man who introduced Indian music to the west, Ravi Shankar deserves the honour. "He may have gone on record and said something against the country, but Ravi is still Ravi," says Karnad. "As I understand, he was unceremoniously evicted from his flat in Delhi for various reasons and so he made a few statements. It doesn't make a difference. I am surprised and shocked that Jasraj could make such statements."

One person who is not surprised is vocalist Kishori Amonkar. And as she gives her reasons, there seems to be more dust flying about high above than one imagined. "Why should I be surprised? This Jasraj is now singing in a television programme, and he goes on and on about how good Lata Mangeshkar is. Who is Lata Mangeshkar? What has she done for Indian music? If that's Jasraj's taste, then I am not surprised that he thinks Ravi Shankar doesn't deserve the award. Jasraj should keep singing and not talk."

In the middle of the diatribe is the calm voice of Hariprasad Chaurasia who, like Solomon, hints that everybody has a point, and that the baby can be split. "Ravi Shankar deserves the award. He should have got it 10 years ago. Well, there may be lobbying for the Bharat Ratna but we cannot deny the fact that he deserves it. Jasraj is a wonderful artiste. He is respected and I know he wouldn't say anything because of personal animosity. If he has said something, it means he has some evidence. But still Ravi Shankar deserves the award."

Tabla maestro Allah Rakha wonders what the fuss is all about. "Ravi Shankar is a good artiste and he got the award. Some people get awards. Some people don't. It's alright."
That bit of philosophy may not go down too well with Pandit Jasraj. But the point is, at this moment, he is the statue.