AVTAR MOTA
As one walked through the busy Kral-Khud road in Habba Kadal locality of Srinagar, one would always hear either some instrumental or vocal Sargam being played or sung on the second floor of a roadside building. A huge board displayed on this building read ‘ PREM SANGEET NIKETAN “. Established by Pandit Jagan Nath Shivpuri, Prem Sangeet Niketan ( initially started as Prem Sangeet Mandir from Banamohalla, Habba Kadal ) remained a premier institution of music in the J&K state more specifically in the entire Kashmir valley.
Born at Sheshyar (Habba Kadal ) in Srinagar city, Pandit Jagan Nath Shivpuri was also known as Guru Ji and Master Ji amongst his innumerable students. He had his initial training under his uncle and later moved to Kolkata to learn music from A C Chatterji, the renowned musician and musicologist. Pandit Jagan Nath Shivpuri was also influenced by the style of V D Pulasker. As a true pioneer, he brought the wonder of Hindustani Classical Music to Kashmir in specific and to our state in general. He created some unforgettable compositions and Ragas. His handwritten notations are the biggest contribution for the lovers of classical music.
He could be easily called a musicologist and more precisely a Vagyekara (one who composes text as well as music). He taught and influenced two generations of musicians of J&K. He taught music to Pandit Shamboo Nath Sopori , Dwarika Nath ,Ustad Ghulam Mohammad, O N Raina , P N Raina , Vinod Handoo ( mandolin player ), Makhan Lal Khar ,Kishen Ji Langoo,Ali Mohammad Bambroo , Sarvanand Langoo,Vijay Malla , Suraj Singh , Ravi Dhar , Darmesh Nargotra ,C L Koul, Harish Kaila ,Purshotam Kumar ( Tabla player ), Kaka Ji Safaya , Ravi Bhan and many more. To Ustad Ghulam Mohammad , he taught to play on Surbahaar apart from Sitar.This training earned him a job in Akashvani, Srinagar Kendra.
At Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s request , he did a purposeful research work on Sufiana Music of Kashmir.
It was Pandit Jagan Nath Shivpuri who pressurized the J&K government to introduce classical music as subject in schools and colleges . He was the first vocalist of Radio Kashmir ( Akashvani ) , Srinagar . He got his Prem Sangeet Niketan affiliated with Gandharva Mahavidhyalaya Mandal ,Mumbai . Students could even qualify for post-graduation in music from this institution.
Once Pandit Jagan Nath Shivpuri played Sitar before Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Maharishi Ji felt happy. When Master Ji sought permission to leave , an accompanying disciple went to Maharishi Ji and requested him to bless Masterji with his Aashirwad. At that point in time , Maharishi Ji is reported to have said this:-
“ He needs no Aashirwad .With his Sangeet Sadhana, he is already sitting at the place towards which we are moving. “
Pandit Jagan Nath Shivpuri held Sultan Sahib ,a Dervish in high esteem. I am told one day one of his disciples told Pandit Ji about some saint or Peer Sahib who was direct disciple of Sultan Sahib. Pandit Ji expressed keen desire to meet the particular saint .Together they went to Narwal locality in Jammu to see the Peer Sahib .As Pandit Ji started going up the staircase to see the saint, the saint rushed out from his room and told this to Pandit Ji’s disciple :-
“ What foolishness have you done Beta ? You have brought a person to whom I need to meet and seek blessings. He is not only a Qalandhar but Sultan of Qalandhars. What can I give him ? “
And when Guru Ji was critically sick in hospital , a stream of his students volunteered for blood donation. Suraj Singh ,the well known singer from Jammu and a disciple of Guru Ji stopped all and rushed inside the ward to donate blood . He told all , ‘ even if I give my life to Guru Ji, his debt still remains unpaid ‘.
Ravi Dhar, music composer and Vomedh organized a grand musical event on January 29, 2023, at Abhinav theatre, Jammu to pay tributes to Pandit Jagan Nath Shivpuri. Ravi Dhar has also made a documentary on Pandit Ji. I saw the documentary and heard three fantastic compositions ‘ Nadiya Kinaare ‘, “ Prabhu Ji morey avaghun chit na dharo’ and ‘Mun Laago Mera Yaar Faqueeri mein’ in the voice of Pandit Jagan Nath Shivpuri .
Immediately after migration from Kashmir, Pandit Ji started his music institution in the Peer Mitha locality of Jammu. For some time he moved to Rehari Colony and then to Luthra Academy Jammu. Presently, Prem Sangeet Niketan is being run from Ban Talab Jammu by some lovers and disciples of Guru Ji. Pandit Ji died in exile.
“Na takht o taaj mein na lashkar o sipaah mein hai
Jo baat mard e qalandhar ki bargaah mein hai
Vahi jahaan hai tera jis ko tu kare Paida
Ye sang o khisht nahin jo teri nigaah mein hai.”
Avtar Mota is a bloger and writes for local and national papers and magazines
