Anna, Bhai and Tai: Memories of a life in melody with Mallikarjun Mansur

Kumar (Classical singer Kumar Gandharva) died on January 12, 1992, and exactly eight months later, on September 12, Anna (Mallikarjun Mansur) passed away. Vasantaa (Classical singer Vasantrao Deshpande) left us long ago, many years before these two. Three icons of Hindustani Classical Music – with their own glory, stature and brilliance. Like many of my contemporaries, I consider myself fortunate to be able to listen to these three in one lifetime. But more than that, thanks to Bhai (PL Deshpande), not only was I acquainted with them, but I got to know and bond with them intimately.

I had heard a lot about Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur from Bhai. Around 1947 or 48, I had also gone with Bhai to Anna’s baithak at Jyotsna Tai’s (Jyotsna Bhole) house on the occasion of her daughter Vandana’s birthday, in Pune. I had also heard his recordings. But until 1959 or so, I really had no opportunity to get to know him personally. In 1959, when we were in Delhi, he came to our house with KD Dixit. Bhai was then working with Akashwani and Delhi Doordarshan. Mallikarjun Mansur had come for some singing or recording related work to Delhi. Accompanying him were his wife and...

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