Sun of music has set: Asha Bhosle on Pt Jasraj’s demise

The death of Pandit Jasraj has left a huge void in the Indian classical music. The 90-yearold Padma Vibhushan recipient who belonged to Jaipur-Mewati gharana breathed his last in New Jersey in America on Monday. After the death of the legendary singer, many celebrities including singer Asha Bhosle, musician Kamal Sabri, Geeta Chandran, among others expressed their gratitude towards the departed soul.

Legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle released an official statement and said, “I am deeply saddened by the unfortunate demise of Pandit Jasraj ji. I have lost someone who was extremely fond of me. I have lost a big brother indeed. ‘Sangeet ka sooraj doob gaya’ (The sun of music has set). He was a vocalist par excellence and I knew him for so long even before his marriage to V. Shantaram’s daughter. He used to praise me a lot and he always used to say ‘main tujhe gana sikhaunga’ (I will teach you singing).Back in the day, when I had visited his classical school in the US, where he used to teach music to so many aspiring talents, I remember how I had wanted to enrol myself into his school because he was that good. On that same trip, we’d gone out for dinner, and Jasraj ji, who was a staunch vegetarian, kept requesting me to also turn vegetarian for health reasons. I will always remember his childlike demeanour.”

 Dancer and Padma Shri recipient Geeta Chandran called his demise as an end of an era in Indian classical music.” The passing of Pandit Jasraj marks the passing of an era in Indian classical music. The way in which Jasraj ji changed his style to match his maturing years is a lesson for artists all over the world. In his final oeuvre of ‘bhakti sangeet’ in the ‘sankeertan tradition’, he reminded all of us that the real custodian of music was the common man. The world today has lost a brilliant artist. While the gods in heaven will be rejoicing having him in heaven entertaining them with songs about them,” Chandran said.

Meanwhile, son of legendary sarangi maestro late Sabri Khan and a wellknown sarangi player himself, Kamal Sabri remembered his association with his father. “I heard the news about the death of ‘Sangeet Maartand’ Pandit Jasraj. It is unfortunate news because personalities like him are rare. A legend has left the world of music marking the end of an era. He was an institution in himself and shared a good association with my father as well. My father ‘Sarangi Samrat’ Sabri Khan saahab and Pandit Jasraj did many shows together. There will not be another Pandit Jasraj ever,” Sabri said.