Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj, who was one of the most renowned Indian Classical vocalists of the Mewati Gharana, with a musical career spanning a massive eight decades unfortunately passed away on the 17 August, 2020. SPIC MACAY (Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music And Culture Amongst Youth), as a part of the ongoing Rendezvous Series, paid tribute to this maestro by organising an online event with talks by Prof. Kiran Seth (Founder, SPIC MACAY), Pt. Sanjeev Abhyankar (Hindustani Vocal), Vid. Shashank Subramanyam (Flute), Vid. Gargee Siddhant (Hindustani Vocal), Vid. Kala Ramnath (Violin) and Sunita Budhiraja (Writer of his biography). He will be always remembered by all, and he has left an indelible mark in the Indian Classical Music fraternity. He was awarded with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri by the Government of India for his outstanding contribution. Pandit Jasraj has played a pivotal role in helping SPIC MACAY, by inspiring young
minds in numerous institutions over the world during SPIC MACAY concerts, including his spellbinding recitals at SPIC MACAY Conventions, Music in the Park concerts and many others. Prof. Seth talked of how Pt. Jasraj was a great musician and also a great human. He shared an anecdote from the initial years of SPIC MACAY, when the
organisation had little funds to accommodate such a top artiste, but Jasraj agreed to do it even under such a situation. He said because this was being done for the youth, and with so much passion, he would definitely do it. Since then, he began his journey with SPIC MACAY, sprinking magic and divinity with his presence on and off the stage. His last program with SPIC MACAY was during the Anubhav Series in June 2020, where he shared his beautiful experience with this movement. Pt. Sanjeev Abhyankar, a disciple of Jasraj expressed how he will be forever etched in their hearts through his music. Vid. Gargee Siddhant, who was his student for thirty-three years, shared how great a teacher he was, paying attention to all his students, motivating them and always giving them hope. She said he is still amongst us, in his music, in his legacy as essence is greater than presence.
Vid. Shashank Subramanyam spoke about his journey with his Hindustani Music Guru, and how he started learning from him on the day of Guru Purnima and how he started accompanying him to the concerts he performed all over the world. He said how he had the simplicity of a child, the sophistication of a true leader and had an ability to adapt in all situations. Vid. Kala Ramnath recalled her first meeting with him, where she spotted him walking across the train tracks to receive her family and her as the train had halted for an indefinite amount of time before the station. She was shocked by his simplicity, and how he became a father figure in her life and later guru. Sunita Budhiraja, author of his biography: Rasraj: Pandit Jasraj also paid her humble tribute to him. The event concluded with the telecast of Jasraj ji’s beautiful concert for SPIC MACAY at the Music in the Park series at Bhubhaneshwar, Odisha in December 2016. SPIC MACAY will be forever indebted for his guidance, presence and all the support that he has blessed us with. His life full of zest, his soulful voice and his values will be always remembered by the current generation and those to come.
