Rasbihari was asked by
Guru bahen Dr Lalita Rao regarding the disposal of the
fund that was there with the Pannalal Memorial Committee
to the Ramkrishna Mission. Rasbihari was more than happy
with this decision. He said that, “Guruji too
would be very happy and this I can say with so much
confidence because Guruji had once personally talked
to me very highly about the institute and how he would
wish to be associated with the Mission. I vividly remember
the whole conversation that we had one day and I am
proud to narrate it. It was one of those routine days
of Guru Shishya discourses, Guruji having played his
favourite morning Raga Miyan ki Todi – laid the
flute on his lap and closed his eyes, a if in meditation.
After a while he opened his eyes and gave an enlightened
look at me. I, then instinctively and all of a sudden
put forward a question, which was perhaps too personal
I feared. However I could take such liberties since
he always treated me like his son. I asked him,”
Guruji, you have been playing the flute regularly day
in day out since past so many years, I wonder how long
you think you will continue to play?”
On hearing
the question, Guruji, once again closed his eyes and
went into a trance, few seconds later he opened his
eyes and said, Rasbihari, I have already decided that
one day I would wish to become a monk and stay in Ramkrishna
Mission for rendering my service. Knowing fully well
that a person willing to become a monk has to sacrifice
everything and all the possessions, I approached Swami
Sambuddhanandji and told him about my desire and stay
at the Ramkrishna Mission all alone, no matter even
if I have to sacrifice my flute. On hearing this Swamiji
immediately said that Pannababu you are allowed to become
a monk and stay in the Mission alongwith your family
and also there is no need for you to sacrifice your
flute. This special privilege given to me is nothing
but the blessings of Lord Ramkrishna Paramhansa”
he said. This only showed his total devotion towards
Ramkrishna Paramhansa for whom he was willing to give
up his life, his breath – his flute and fulfill
his desire.
-
As narrated by Pt. Rasbihari Desai
Once
Pannababuji’s student and later son-in-law, Shri
Devendra Murdeshwar along with other students decided
to test him. They decided on Raga Shree among themselves
and wanted to see whether Shri Pannalalji would be able
to decipher their sentiments without their telling him.
As they waited with bated breath after tuning the Tanpura,
Pannababu emerged from the room, with blood red eyes
and immediately announced that he would be playing Raga
Shree that day! Such was his immense penetration and
divine power, that he sensed the vibrations of his numerous
students, who were rendered speechless with wonder and
admiration.
-
As related by Shri Anand Murdeshwar
Yet
another story relates to Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khansaheb
and Shri Pannalal Ghosh. As Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khansaheb
was singing, Shri Pannalal Ghosh entered the concert
hall, being greeted by Bade Ghulam Ali Khansaheb as
“The Lion of Bengal.” Ustadji was performing
a composition in a difficult tala and the entire audience
mistook the khali for the sam, whereas Shri Pannalal
Ghosh’s palm moved in perfect time to the beat.
Moved, and observing this perfect harmony with his composition,
Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan immediately exclaimed, that
this was the reason why he referred to Pannababu as
the “Lion of Bengal”, which truly the great
maestro was.
-
As related by Shri Anand Murdeshwar
This story relates to the emperor of Bansuri, Shri Pannalal
Ghosh. Once Shri B.V. Keskar, the famous information
and broadcasting minister visited the flute maestro.
Pannababu, in his hospitable way, treated him to some
Indian sweets, but it was an embarrassing moment, as
there were no tea leaves in the house and no money to
buy them either. Pannababu announced that tea would
be served after half an hour. In the meanwhile, Shri
Keskar told Pannababu, that he had been chosen as the
conductor of the National Vadya Vrinda in Delhi and
also offered a token sum of Rs.10, 000 to the maestro.
Such was the divine intervention at this critical point.
Tea was purchased immediately to be served to the gathering.
-
As related by Shri Anand Murdeshwar
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