Durga Remembers Her Father Pandit Jasraj’s Love For Coffee

MUMBAI-Marking the 17th as her family’s “Musical Pooja Day,” Durga Jasraj fondly remembered her father, the legendary Hindustani classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj, and his endearing ritual of sipping coffee during concerts to keep his voice in pristine condition.

Durga shared an emotional note recalling how “Bapuji” would only sip coffee during his performances to keep his vocal cords lubricated.

She revealed, “Misri and clove were also his dependable choices especially during his concerts… Thank you coffee for keeping Golden Voice like Bapuji in such pristine condition …”

Remembering him with devotion, Durga described the 17th of every month as their “Musical Pooja Day,” when the family offers prayers through raags and taal.

“Today is the 17th, our Musical Pooja Day… We pray through Raags and Taal… This is the only way we know to let Bapuji know we love him and seek his blessings… Love you Bapuji, aapki hamesha Jai Ho,” she wrote.

Pandit Jasraj’s musical career spanned 75 years. His legacy includes memorable performances of classical and semi-classical vocal music, classical and devotional music, albums and film soundtracks, and innovations in various genres, including Haveli Sangeet, as well as popularizing the Mewati Gharana.

Pandit Jasraj remained in the US when the country entered its Covid-19 lockdown. He died at his home in New Jersey in 2020 due to cardiac arrest.

He was married to the daughter of film director V. Shantaram, Madhura Shantaram, whom he first met in 1960 in Bombay. They had two children — a son, Shaarang Dev Pandit, and a daughter, Durga Jasraj — and four grandchildren. (IANS)