In his deep voice, Guruji started his aalap of Raag Ahir Bhairav, from mandra octave… His eyes were closed as if in a trance. He opened his eyes after a few minutes, looked at us, and said, “Gaaiye…”. One of us initiated. Guruji listened observing each note, and said, “you should start with sa re sa sa ni, ni sa re, re, re, sa… Nishad and Rishabh are Komal swaras in this raag. Which note to be emphasised upon and to what extent, is important while singing. Gradually, listening alaap from all of us, he started bada khyal… “Aye, banara mora pyara”. As he touched ‘Sam’ we all started singing small individual phrases, which he kept correcting wherever it went wrong.”
In classical music, ‘Guru-Shishya Parampara’ holds a special significance. It creates a strong bond between the Guru and the Shishya, which guides the latter to imbibe the stylistic elements and expressions of his/her Guru. This gradually helps the Shishya to carry forward the rich legacy of his/her Guru. This does not happen in a day. This requires long years of wait and patience on both ends, while both weave a seamless continuation of this tradition.
While, a learner inculcates the singing style of his/her mentor, the affectionate bond they both create is cherished by them throughout their life.
There are two types of knowledge, which are followed in this Parampara: experiential and inferential. Experiential knowledge is meant to be pursued in a different method, even though the teacher provides the student with the basic direction and comprehension of the subject so that the student can comprehend the premises and continue studying with his discrimination. Here, one must have unflinching faith in the teacher and be determined to obey his instructions no matter how strange they may seem to his biased logic. The main distinction between studying sastras and engaging in spiritual practice is this. Whereas the inferential learning comes from multiple reiterations, when the student him/herself starts thinking of the methodologies.
The Guru-Shishya Parampara is based on a meaningful connection based on mutual respect, trust, and a strong sense of commitment. This holy tie ensures that this age-old musical legacy continues as knowledge is passed from the guru, the accomplished musician, to the eager apprentice, the shishya. A vital feature of the Guru-Shishya Parampara is the individualised counselling that the guru offers. In contrast to a traditional classroom, the guru customizes their instruction to meet the unique requirements, advantages, and disadvantages of every shishya. They offer specialized teaching to develop the shishya’s talent and promote their artistic development since they understand their special potential and temperament as artists.
In an era of swift technological progress and shifting social structures, the Guru-Shishya Parampara’s importance cannot be emphasized enough. It serves as a beacon of light, showing prospective musicians the way and imparting to them the morals, ideas, and methods that have been perfected over many generations. Indian classical music is a powerful and transforming experience since this tradition encompasses not just the technical parts of music but also the cultural subtleties, emotional depth, and spiritual essence of the genre.
In Indian classical music, the blessings of the guru are extremely important. Before starting a significant musical endeavor, such as a performance, the shishya asks the guru for his approval. It is thought that the blessings grant the shishya success, inspiration, and heavenly grace. The blessings of the guru strengthen the close bond that exists between the guru and the shishya, which goes beyond the parameters of a teacher-student relationship.
The principal duty of the shishya is to assimilate the guru’s teachings. This means paying close attention to the guru’s musical interpretations, methods, and nuances as well as listening to and observing them. The goal of the shishya is to gain a deep comprehension of the guru’s musicality so that they can incorporate those qualities into their own playing while also bringing their own distinct voice and interpretation.