Softly reverberating down the generations

Iwas pleasantly surprised to stumble on to a startling revelation which has prevailed in my family’s genes, going back to my great grandfather Kanhaiya Lal’s time. He was a minstrel and sang devotional songs as a Brahmin besides singing in Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s court. He was finally appointed as one of the treasurers and was gifted a painting of Ranjit Singh. The painting is today one of the most cherished heirlooms in our family’s collection of treasures.

Yet another interesting fact arose because Kanhaiya’s grandson, Indar Jit, after retiring from the army and later as military adviser in the United Nations wished to spend some time on learning how to master an instrument. This was a yearning which captured his thoughts and today an analysis reveals that his desire to master a musical instrument was purely a natural and innate feeling that was precipitated through the element of music in his genes.

With extraordinary determination and a sense of purpose, Indar Jit selected a modern day flute. The original flute we are associated with is a design that came into existence in another millennia. But the flute Indar played was a model perfected as a modern western concert flute, designed by German inventor Boehm.

What tunes did Indar play on the flute? Did that depend on his instructor’s choice? Indar chose music played by an army band, with a disciplined marching cadence; a natural choice for a former army officer. I accompanied Indar one morning in the ’80s in Old Delhi, to search for army band music from old book shops. We were rewarded and I understood the reason for Indar’s choice of music, which he happily pursued during a peaceful retirement in Virginia, US.

The genes have continued to manifest members of the family. Indar’s great granddaughter Sheela is a violinist and a member of an orchestra, a significant accomplishment.

Indar’s younger brother Rajeshwar’s daughter,neelam, is an established pianist and was a member of the Calcutta School of Music, for many years and daughter, Pavitra, is an equally accomplished pianist. Rajeshwar was a talented ball room dancer for years.

This remarkable sequence must, for the moment, pause at this point. It will be iniquitous of me to ignore Nayan, my son, who at 21, is ensconced in an academic endeavour of Indian classical music. Music in his genes which he inherited from his great, great grandfather has ensured that music can still be perpetuated as a tradition of the family.

In a rare move after his Class 12 exams, Nayan decided to support the music culture in the family and buttressed by his mother Rubina’s talent also for music, will remain carved in this family’s incredible love for the subject. Rubina, who has a Master’s in vocal music, has assured that the destiny of music will continue with us.

Nayan is in his final year at The JN Government Degree College of Fine Arts, Shimla, and supports his zest for the subject by also attending Shimla’s Channa Music Academy, whose founder, Vinod Channa, is a gold medallist in Indian classical music.

We must let the music play. Its charm is an exciting exercise and above all, the relevance of genetics has surely been divulged in this ongoing incredible odyssey, which hopefully will only surge ahead.

INDAR CHOSE MUSIC PLAYED BY AN ARMY BAND, WITH A DISCIPLINED MARCHING CADENCE; A NATURAL CHOICE FOR A FORMER ARMY OFFICER