“It’s a lonely world,” she says, referring to the decreasing number of Hindustani classical music lovers in the country. “It’s tough for a lover of the fine arts to survive, what with hardly any sponsors,” rues vocalist Meeta Pandit, who has inherited the legacy of the Gwalior gharana as the first female musician in the third generation to pursue classical music in her family.
But mention Pakistan and her face brightens up. Having just returned from across the border, where she was invited to open the Pakistan chapter of SPICMACAY last week, she says: “There was no animosity when I visited Pakistan for the SAARC summit earlier this year and this time too it was an amazing experience. They may not be well versed in classical music, but they’d throng to catch a glimpse of me because I’m the granddaughter of Pt Krishnarao Shankar Pandit.”
Of course, she won hearts in Pakistan on her own steam — especially her rendition of old bandishes. She is serious about riyaaz and “not too particular about timing” when she sits down to practice.
As a cultural ambassador, her job may be simple — to present a series of lecture-demonstrations for the not-so-initiated, and perform khayals in the traditional style reminiscent of Ustad Haddu Hasan Khan and Ustad Banne Khan. But she finds it “odd” to answer questions related to the ‘peace mission’ that everyone seems to be obsessed with. “My passion is also my profession. So, as an artiste I am merely doing my job to promote music,” she says.
Pandit follows Bollywood music — “especially Lataji and Ashaji” — as passionately as she loves listening to the Beatles, Elvis, Roshanara Begum, Ustad Rehmat Khan and Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. She is clear about this: “An artiste’s job is multifaceted and multidimensional. One needs to integrate diverse aspects of life — be it performing, listening to other artistes or simply interacting with people.
{{/usCountry}}Pandit follows Bollywood music — “especially Lataji and Ashaji” — as passionately as she loves listening to the Beatles, Elvis, Roshanara Begum, Ustad Rehmat Khan and Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. She is clear about this: “An artiste’s job is multifaceted and multidimensional. One needs to integrate diverse aspects of life — be it performing, listening to other artistes or simply interacting with people.
{{/usCountry}}During her frequent trips to Lahore, she has also been asked to teach music to the younger generation. “I might just take it up, though with my tight travel schedule and concerts across the world, that may prove to be difficult,” she says.
That should then help her espouse her own cause. And not bemoan the deploring standards of promotion that seem to have plagued her “only love”, music.