Gurudev Ke Saath

Author(s): Gurdial Mallikji, Pratap J Tolia, Sumitra P Toliya
Publisher: Vardhaman Bharati International Foundation

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Vegetarianism. What I could see was, if we are devoted to the adopted principles, others are ready to make way for us and there are no obstacles in our path after the testing time initially.
SWEET MEMORIES OF SANTINIKETAN
After my longing of many years, I had been privileged to join Santiniketan's Vidya Bhavan (as already said above for my M.A in Hindi Literature) and Sangeet Bhavan (for learning Rabindra Sangeet), with the blessings of my Rev. Masters Acharya Gurdial Mallikji and Padmabhooshan Pragyachakshu Dr.Pandit Sukhlalji. Both of them had been at Santiniketan in the past, Mallikji in sublime Shelter of Gurudev for 22 long years and Dr. Pt. Sukhlalji for a short spell of time about which he has very admiringly written in one of his Articles titled SANTINIKETAN ("PRASTHAN": "Darshan ane Chintan": Guj.pp.200). Pt.Sukhlalji's deliberations therein with great Scholar Pandit Vidhushekhar Bhattacharya, Acharya Kshiti Mohan Sen and Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore himself, are worth reading. He has overwhelmingly described Gurudev, whom he has addressed as "KAVISHREE", writing: "His meeting, "PREM-MILAN", extremely befitting with his ideal & approach, this Apostle of Love, was like a loving Father, making a child to sit by his side and talking with loving confidence, impressed me". In addition to this, Panditji had personally described his experience of his short stay there which had increased my eagerness and curiosity to reach Santiniketan. Moreover, Mallikji's reminiscences with Gurudev, which I have penned in Hindi, Gujarati and English and which I had heard and gathered from his pious mouth several times at Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Sharadagram, Visnagar, Mumbai, etc. This has become my treasure now and has inspired me since 1956-57-58.
With these personal acquaintances, in addition to my little study of Gurudev's Literature, I had considered myself fortunate and joined Santiniketan with great hopes and dreams to enrich my treasure of Literature, Music and Philosophy. Even in short span of time, I could accomplish these to a considerable extent.
For my M.A classes at Santiniketan, it was a great joy to study beneath the trees and open sky, even some times amidst drizzling rain, murmuring newly learnt Rabindra songs like "MAN MORI MEGHER SANGI,......" and " PAGLA HAOAR BADOL DINE, PAGOL AMAR MON JEGE UTHE..." etc. I visualized Gurudev himself sitting beneath the tree, murmuring the song and teaching. Sometimes I saw the presence of G.M.Mallikji seated before Gurudev and bowing his head to provide rhythm to the song. I kept imagining, dreaming and guessing whether Gurudev might be sitting here, moving, singing and dance-directing here and there..? I was thinking, how his "Dumb Gurdial" Mallikji might be accompanying him carrying out all his (The Master's) orders silently, unquestioningly and joyously as a true dedicated disciple...!
Apart from these stray glimpses of my Tree-shelter learning, I had some more joyous experiences at Sangit Bhavan while learning a number of Rabindra Sangeet songs. "Bijon Ghare, Nishith Rate...","Ashon Taler, Matir Pore...", "Ami Sondhya Deeper Shikha...", "Tomar Ashime, Prana Mona Loye...", Shomukhe Shanti Parabar...", "Tomar Ashon Shoonna Aji...", "Nabiker Gaan...", "Hinshaya Unmatta Prithvi..." and a number of other songs were absorbed in my deep Sub-consciousness that even after leaving Santiniketan they have not left me. Every year's RABINDRA SMRITI-7th August celebrations, which I organized at my college services and elsewhere, these songs, along with their Gujarati or Hindi versions, always created a unique atmosphere and impact everywhere. They have become part of my devotion, seeking and aspiration. Even my MUSIC FOR MEDITATION innovation has this as its base! Hence this gift of Santiniketan's Sangit Bhavan has always remained precious for me. My learning at Sangit Bhavan has another aspect of my Music pursuit. It was about my sharing and giving from my own treasure of song and folk songs of my Mother Tongue Gujarati. Several luminary Gujarati Poets like Late Shri Zaverchand
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