‘Big loss for Indian classical music’

I knew Dr Ashok Ranade personally. Our first interaction was when I went to his house to give my copy of the book, Sangeet Raga Kalpataru, which he was looking for. This began a series of wonderful meetings.

I knew Dr Ashok Ranade personally. Our first interaction was when I went to his house to give my copy of the book, Sangeet Raga Kalpataru, which he was looking for. This began a series of wonderful meetings.

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His profound lectures and presentations could enhance any music lover's knowledge. He was always the best speaker and added humour to even the most serious subject.

He was a great singer with vast knowledge of voice culture, and knew 254 ragas.

H always said, "I'm a musician first, a musicologist later." He shaped the department of music at the University of Mumbai into a tremendous place of learning.

One of his particularly well-known books, On Music and Musicians of Hindoostan, evaluated the musical richness of the great masters of North India. I consider his 'Concise Dictionary of Hindustani Music' the best dictionary of Indian music.

He knew English, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati and even Russian, and owned many Russian books.

He was a friendly and encouraging person. He would congratulate me after a good performance and push me to work hard. I respect him a great deal. It is a great loss to Indian classical music.

(Ramkrishna Das is a Hindustani classical vocalist and researcher)