Pt Ajoy Chakraborty recollects his memories of Girija Devi

My daughter Kaushiki was six years old when she first sang in front of Girija Devi. After she completed her song, Girija Devi gave her `100. It was a new thing for Kaushiki and she curiously asked her mother, “Arekta gaan gaile ki ami arekta eksho taka pabo,” and we all broke into laughter. If I start recollecting my memories of Girija Devi, the amazing anecdotes can turn into a book.
In 1978, Pundit Vijay Kichlu established Sangeet Research Academy in Tollygunge. This effort was made after the conventional curriculum in schools and colleges failed to instil real music among the students. In a way, Sangeet Research Academy institutionalised Indian classical music in India. Girija Devi joined the academy as a guru and I joined as a scholar. And my first memory of her reminds me of a poised, stout and upright guruji
with a dazzling diamond nose pin. While she was popularly known as ‘appaji’ to everybody else, I used to call her ‘maaji’.
The academy started its curriculum in March 1978 and there was no designated building for it. I used to practise in the manager’s training centre of a building. Eminent tabaliya of Benaras gharana, Lakshmi Narayan Mishra, used to play with me. Though I used to assist Girija Devi in many ways, including playing the harmonium with her, she was not my direct guru. My wife, Chandana, used to be her student. She was extremely fond of my wife and used to call her ‘Saraswati ki putri aur Ma Lakshmi ho tum’. I still have that video in my collection. Over the years I knew Girija Devi, I learnt some profound lessons of life. We used to take auditions for the academy together. Also, we have interacted with students together on many occasions and those sessions were unforgettable moments. She had a unique adayegi of presenting her music. From teaching the gayaki to presentation and dressing up for performance — Girija Devi used to be a strict teacher for any budding singer. She wouldn’t allow any frivolous activity, no matter how trivial it might seem.
If there was a minor slip of someone’s sari or dupatta, she would reprimand her, saying, “You are an artiste and have no business diverting your audience’s attention to anything else but your music.” I think such schooling is fading from our life. This sort of regimentation has made us what we are today. I got unconditional love and affection from her. On many occasions, while I was playing the harmonium with her, she used to stop singing and would start praising me in front of her audience. For many, many years we lived in the same building near the academy until she moved to a nearby house. I saw a gritty and bold woman in her. She struggled a lot in life but her indomitable conviction and strict philosophy made her who she was.
Let me end with another anecdote. About seven years ago, Girija Devi and I were travelling to Jodhpur to attend a thumri concert. In the flight, she told me, “I’m ageing, Ajoy. Please let me sing before you.” I was startled and told her, “But you are like my mother. How can I perform after you?” And then she said, “Beta jab bara ho jata hai tab ma baap se age bhi ja sakta hai.”
And in that event, I performed after her. I realised that Girija Devi is not only one of the greatest teachers and musicians of our generation, she is also a person with a humongous heart. Today, when she is gone, I remember her with utmost respect and unconditional love. My 100 salutes to her.