A surreal atmosphere prevailed at Pune's Vaikunth crematorium on Monday afternoon as mourners gathered to pay homage to departed classical vocalist Pandit Bhimsen Joshi amidst the emotive strains of his abhangs playing over loudspeakers.
Strains from popular abhangs Zata Pandhari and Aarambi Vandito Ayodhyacha Raja rent the air, marking Joshi's presence as nearly 3,000 people from all walks of life gathered at the crematorium.
As the police band and gun-toting constables from the Pune police commissionerate readied themselves to accord a state funeral, Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan arrived at 3:20pm and laid a wreath on behalf of the state government.
“Bhimsenji with his pahadi voice lifted the standards of Hindustani classical music," Chavan said. "Joshi's biggest award was the love and affection the common man had for him. His special national integration song, ‘Mile sur mera tumhara...’ has become immortal.”
External affairs minister SM Krishna, a former chief minister of Karnataka, laid a wreath on behalf of the prime minister and the government of India. “Pandit Bhimsen Joshi was a unique musician," Krishna said. "We will not see the likes of him again. His death is a sad loss for the world of music.”
President Pratibha Patil’s condolence message was read out on the loudspeakers: “India has lost its Swar Samrat (emperor of melodies). A very big artiste is no more.”
A 21-gun salute by a platoon of young constables from the Pune police commissionerate was followed by the poignant strains of The Last Post played by two expert buglers from the Pune police band.
The last rites were then performed before the mortal remains of the doyen of the Kirana gharana were cremated at the electric crematorium.
PTI Adds: Earlier, music aficionados and people from all walks of life made a beeline to Joshi's residence 'Kalashree' to pay their last respects. Among the dignitaries who filed past the body were beleaguered Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa and former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief KS Sudarshan.
Yeddyurappa said his government would launch a Rs10 crore scheme to preserve the legacy of the vocalist at his home town Gadag in Karnataka.
Mourners - men and women, young and old - lined the streets to pay their last respects to the master as his last journey began from his residence and terminated at the Vaikunth crematorium.
