MUMBAI: The 10th Prime Minister of independent India, a statesman, an orator par excellence ,a poet and a music connoisseur, Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee left the world at the age of 93. His poems have been an inspiration for many.
In 2002, the Ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh composed and sung a compilation album of Atal ji’s poem under the album name Samvedna. The ghazal Kya Khoya Kya Paya in the same album was shot into a music video featuring Shahrukh Khan and was directed by none other than Yash Chopra and preface narrated by Amitabh Bachchan. As a tribute to the departed legend, Shahrukh Khan also posted on his social media saying he is privileged to be a part of that video. It was officially launched at the august hands of Bharat Ratna Pandit Ravi Shankar. Coming together of so many legends can only be termed as poetic justice.
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There are also many memorable anecdotes of the Prime Minister and his music liking. One of such famous anecdotes shows his equal love for folk music. Atal ji was present at a concert in Delhi at Ramlila Ground, where the legendary Bhupen Hazarika was performing. Atal ji requested Bhupen Hazarika, who happened to be one of his most loved singers to sing one of his favorite Assamese song, Moi et Jajabor (Literally meaning I am a wanderer) live on the stage. Atal ji who was sitting in the front row sent a chit with his request for the song and the singer gracefully accepted. So tells Kamal Kataki, who was present at the concert and was playing guitar with Bhupen Hazarika.
Exactly two decades ago in September 1998, Padmaja Phenany sang his poems for the album Geet Naya Gaata Hoon. Music was composed by Mahesh Chandar and released by RPG Enterprises.
