When the whole world celebrates Diwali, a daughter celebrates her Dad’s birthday and mourns her amour at the same time…
He was the music of my life. Like him, music ensnares my soul….even if my voice sinks and heart weeps….
He never leaves even if he’s gone…
Sharing memories of my father along with my musical tribute to the virtuoso…
He was the first man whom I fell in love with and that love affair is perennial. The kind of person he was, I’m sure, every lady would have fallen for him even today if he was alive. He was one of the most handsome men I’ve ever seen, not only for his endearing looks and suave persona but for the jewel heart and sparkling intellect he possessed. Born of 5th November, he was a true Libra, perfectly balanced in head and heart.
The reason why I always share pics of his younger days is, he remains in my dreams as a forever young man. With thick fluffy hair, peaches n cream complexion, dreamy hooded cognac eyes and a meek smile hidden behind those sculpted lips ready to explode with slight provocation, he was born with Greek God looks. For me he was the Adonis of masculinity with a urban chic class quotient. A tongue in cheek with understated elegance !
He left this world 20 years ago, mere at the age of 57 and like every year, I am celebrating 77th birthday of my Dad, a master of all talents, a man of all métiers.
He instilled a deep sense of art and music in me. Our house was a happy host of all sorts of artists and poets of the town and our big living area used to unfurl during weekends and holidays for all who knew music or any other art form. We, the girls, were not allowed inside our drawing room during those sessions as it used to burgeon into a mini coffee house. Reason being, we all were led by an orthodox Brahmin house lady, my mom. But music seeped from those crevices and entered into my soul.
So was my Dad’s influence upon us. All the siblings became experts in stealthily following our dreams just to safeguard our skins from turning black and blue when caught red handed by mom. Paintings were hidden inside bed linens, storybooks were enveloped by text books, but music was water. Vital, lucid and unstoppable! Mom could never stop him from singing, neither could she stop me. Now, after years since he’s gone, she too hums his favorite songs.
He used to sing songs of K.L. Sehgal, Manna Dey, Talat Mehmood and Hemant Kumarin his husky yet sweet and absolutely melodious voice. It’s been years since I had left music, even lost my hold on breath being out of practice, but music has never left me. It stays, like him, like my ultimate love.
On his birthday today, I’ve dared to sing his favorite song from the movie ‘Saza’ sung by Lata Mangeshkar, written by Sahir Ludhiyanvi and composed by S. D. Burman. Please ignore my sulking low notes and hoarse high notes. As I said, I’d left singing ages ago, but music ensnares. It stays, he stays even if he’s gone…
So would he… always remain in my heart.
Tum Na Jane Kis Jahan Mein Kho Gaye…
~~Happy Birthday Papa~~
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Very heart wrenching post, some emptiness in heart remains forever.
Btw, i must admit you have a very melodious voice.
Thank you so much Jyotirmoy! Glad you liked.