Lokogandhar

Bhabanishankar Dasgupta 1 Michal Madhusudan Dutta the legendary Bengali poet once said about Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar—“This time I have appealed to a person who has the wisdom of an ancient sage, the energy of an Englishman and the heart of a Bengali mother. If any artiste had the heart of a Bengali

mother she was none other than Vidushi Purnima Chowdhury. with an affectionate heart and an amiable smile Purnima aunty was so popular specially with young singers and musicians that her very presence invigorated them and inspired them to perform well. with maternal affection she always encouraged them and advised them to maintain their pursuit of music sincerely.

In DECEMDER 2010 I gave a Sarode recital at ALL INDIA MUSIC FESTIVAL organized by M. N. Sarkar (Hari Babu). when I had just finished my recital and was about to leave the stage, Purnima aunty arrived. On a sudden impulse I put down my instrument and touched her feet. At once she embraced me with an affectionate smile and said—“Alas, I am so unlucky that I missed your performance. Don’t forget to inform me about your next recital. “Can anyone imagine an artiste of her stature condescending to accost a junior insignificant artiste like me who is young enough to be her son. Nowadays it sounds like a fairy tale because promising young singers have become so supercilious that they just do not care to respect their superiors in the music world.

The Annual Concert of our organization (BULLYGUNGE MOITREYEE MUSIC CIRCLE) was held on 4th and 5th February, the next year. I entered the stage at around 5-30 in the evening. Thereafter the curtain was removed and I was overwhelmed with joy to find Purnima Aunty sitting in the center of the first row flanked by Sitarist Partha Bose and Harmonium player Jyoti Guho.

I started with Raga Barwa which I played for about half an hour. I concluded my recital with a short piece in Raga Kafi. When my performance ended Purnima Aunty personally came to me and heartily congratulated me on my endeavor to play such a rare and difficult Raga. Immediately I touched her feet and she affectionately blessed me with her hands on my head. Thereafter she took out a small box of toffees from her bag and gave it to me. “This is a mother’s gift to her son for his achievements “she said. “What a divine simplicity ” I thought. Can a venerable singer of worldwide reputation be so friendly and generous to a rising musician who is young enough to be her son? I just could not believe my own eyes.

Purnima Aunty has always been and will always be a unique instance in the history of our music. Her untimely death is an irreparable loss to our music world. Her gentility magnanimity and childlike simplicity are undoubtedly some examples to be followed by contemporary young artistes who sometimes dare to disregard and criticize illustrious elderly maestros. May her soul rest in peace.