Gurudev Ke Saath

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

Page 39

Meghani, Umashankar Joshi etc. had not only presented such Gujarati Literary & Folk songs at Santiniketan earlier, but had also translated eternal Bengali Tagore songs into Gujarati.
With this background, when I kept rendering these songs at Sangit Bhavan's frequent sittings, I was applauded with unexpected response and love. It was to that extent that my kind Rabindra Sangeet Teacher and co-students compelled me not only to render Gujarati songs, but also to teach them. This ended every time with the resounding Joyous Blusters of “SHADU SHADU..." which I still remember. Besides singing and teaching, I had to render and direct Gujarati Ras-Garbas, the traditional Folk Dances, singing and playing. This Give and Take process had its own charm .It has been deeply associated with my sweet lifelong memories of Santiniketan.
Thereafter, whenever I visited Santiniketan - once with my little daughter Parul- I visualized those Golden days at Santniiketan, as if they were back: "AMAR SHE DIN ASHABE FIRE......"
These are a few of my sweet memories of Santiniketan. I was compelled to leave it half way, as discussed earlier, with weeping Kshiti Babu's tearful eyes and my heavy heart, but even a short stay enriched me beyond limits.....
After all more than Kshiti Babu's it was the blessing of my Great Masters Dr. Pt. Sukhlalji and Acharya Gurdial Mallikji both of whom were themselves greatly blessed by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore himself.