Thanks to the pandemic, I got to know daadu much better, says Shweta
Singer Shweta Pandit, grand niece of the late Pandit Jasraj has been wrought with emotion since she heard of her “dadu” passing away. She was very close to him and shared a heartfelt note on social media, in the memory of her legendary grandfather, classical vocalist and Padma Vibhushan Pandit Jasraj, who passed away on Monday in New Jersey, USA.
Shweta is stationed in Italy with her husband and daughter. She has been busy connecting with the Indian Embassy to get to India and even get a visa for her newborn. Talking about her grandfather, Shweta says, “One of the earliest memories of him, was a life changing one for me. I was 11-12 and had recorded a devotional album called Mahalaxmi. I had sung it in Sanskrit and the signature song was sung by my dadu, Pandit Jasraj ji. I finished the recording, which had many difficult Sanskrit words, and though I had not learnt Sanskrit, and felt I was doing my job,” she says.
Pandit adds, “Dadu heard the album and came to our house at 6.30 in the morning. We were all sleeping and he kept ringing the doorbell. We were all startled and thought the worst. When we opened the door he came and hugged me and said, ‘I’ve heard your voice for the first time. You have sung so well that I can proudly say that music in our family is in safe hands’.”
She admits that back then, she was too young to understand what had happened. “Now, when I remember that day I feel it was the best day of my life because you don’t get such compliments — not as great as Panditji. He wouldn’t say it unless he meant it.”
Shweta says she learnt all about guru shishya parampara and Hindustani classical heritage from her elders. “The lockdown gave me a very beautiful connect with him as he was in his house and not busy at all. He was relaxed and would call me often to talk to me and see my daughter. We spoke a lot about his life and achievements. He taught me many ragas over video calls. I thank the pandemic as I got the chance to know him better,” she concludes.