Rajiv Malik, HPI Correspondent
NEW DELHI, INDIA, December 24, 2006. “When I perform on stage, I am in total communion with the God. My only request to Him is to give darshan to the audience who is watching my performance. However, I have attained this stage by engaging in the sadhana of music and dance for over sixty-four years, that is since the time I was just five years old. So for the youth my message is that if you want to learn music and dance, you have to give your one hundred percent to it.” These views were expressed by the world famous Kathak Guru, Padma Vibhushan Pandit Birju Maharaj, while speaking at function jointly organized by Music Today and Satish Babbar Music Foundation at New Delhi’s prestigious Le Meridian Hotel on December 22, 2006, in connection with the release of the audio cd of “Om Namoh Shivay — The Healing Music” which has the voices of father and daughter team comprising of ghazal and bhajan maestro Satish Babbar and Vanee Babbar.
In his address to the distinguished gathering of a large number of media persons and art and music lovers of the capital, well-known music director of Indian film industry, Shri Uttam Singh had this to say, “Music is sadhana and tapasya (penance) and success in this field can only be attained by those who have total commitment and dedication. Those who look for short cuts and short-lived success in the sphere of music vanish from the scene as quickly as they appear on it.”
Speaking to Hinduism Today about his latest album, Shri Satish Babbar said, “Om Namoh Shivay- The Healing Music” is based on the morning raga Ahir Bhairav. It symbolizes the manifestations of the divine glory of Lord Shiva — who stands for the beginning and the end of life.”
According to Shri Babbar, the music in the album creates a sense of peace and enlightenment in abundance. Repeated chanting of the mantra invokes the blessings of the omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent Lord Shiva. He further claimed, “The music in itself has a healing power for all the internal and external woes of the human soul. In this album we have tried to capture the brighter side of life — the glimmering sun rays that bring light to the world, the sound of the chirpy birds, the gleeful daylight and the peaceful dawn, all of which are a blessing from the great Almighty.”
Dr. Karan Singh, President of Indian Council for Cultural Relations [ICCR], also blessed the function with his brief presence.