Some organisation in Mysore had arranged a concert of Gangu Bai Hangal. It had also arranged to honour her on that occasion. The felicitation function was almost over when a group of people belonging to an organisation of the community in which she was born ascended the stage and honoured her on behalf of that organisation, with a shawl and a bowl of fruits and so on. After all that and before her concert, she was requested to say a few words.
Her few words were these. (I am hardly paraphrasing here)
I am a musician and the only language I know is music. So, I will say very little in words but will say the rest when I sing.
As a musician I believe that I have only one religion and community and that is of musicians. But still some people want to remind me that I belong to another community and want to claim me as belonging to their community!
I gave a concert in Nanjangud. As usual I sang Khayals. Someone in the audience asked me to sing something light. But the only light I know is this, she said and pointed to the lights above the stage. So please bear with me when I sing what I know.
She proceeded to give an excellent concert.
No comments:
Post a Comment