If someone asked me to crown the Title of Prince of contemporary Indian Music, I would bend my humble knees, bow down and ask Shri Rahul Deshpande to wear that bejeweled crown for eternity.
Everytime, I listen to that soothing yet clear, sharp voice, it leaves my mouth ajar, and opens the floodgates of my heart. The tears on my cheeks are only a by-product.
So when I saw an alert of his rendition of – Sunta Hai Guru Gyani (Kabir’s Nirguni Bhajan), I was all ears.
He started with an aalap, giving us a glimpse of that magical ‘Nada Bindu’, his celestial throat. He was accompanied by revered Taufiq Quereshi on the Ek tara. The beat was different from Kumarji’s original and I was trying to appreciate this new version.
Then, I noticed the comments complaining about the Ek tara beat. It was annoying for many. I tried to concentrate, hard. It was disturbing me.

After listening to Rahuji’s version, I switched to Kumarji’s original. Listened to the beats, rhythms again.

Now as part of Mindfulness meditation, we are asked to notice our feelings and thoughts. We are told that they are only temporary. That they are fleeting clouds or waves.

I soon realised that I was only distracted by the comments made by others on Rahuji’s version. I had appreciated his new experiment. Maybe there was a bias. Maybe not.

I also recognised, how my thoughts were influenced, forming opinions. I went further and re-read the Kabir classic comprehening its meaning again.
I smiled. The message about the Nirguni Mind was in the Bhajan itself.

My favourite rendition of the two? Neither. I personally enjoy, Kalapini Komakalli’ earthy voice for this Bhajan, instead.