Monday, November 16, 2009

Meeting Abida Parveen

The Hindu November Fest launch happened this Evening at the Taj Coromandel. The launch concert had Ranjani and Gayatri performing. Mom and I walked in a little late, but weirdly in time. For the concert and perhaps most of Mr N Ram's address.
Somewhere halfway into the concert I saw this person walk in. Someone I had seen on the jacket of CDs and cassettes. A voice I loved.
Abida Parveen. She walked in with her daughter. Simply.
She thoroughly enjoyed the concert but one of the best times in my life happened post the concert. She was called up on stage to felicitate Ranjani and Gayatri and all I could see was that she held their hands and bowed low.
Thereafter she took the mic. We were informed earlier that her concert was sold out and we had to be early if were to get good seats. When she came behind the mic she said she would speak in Urdu. And music began with her words. And she said "If Maula willed shaayad kal kuchch achcha ho jaye (perhaps tomorrow something good can happen)". I had never seen her speak before. Or seen her on TV. Only seen pictures.
Here I should also say that there have been several people I have met who are said to be humble, those who are said to be warm and friendly. But I have personally felt that only with a few elevated souls that I have had the good fortune to meet and spend time with.
When Abida ji spoke it was so easy to feel her surrender to the Almighty God. From her words. From her countenance. From her bearing. Her total surrender to God and that she is His instrument was simply conveyed. So much so that I began to wish for that sort of a state of being. Where all the questions can die down and the total surrender can happen.
Anyway, thereafter it was time for dinner. And that was when I walked up to meet her. But then the number of people around her increased and I thought I should step back and not intrude and probably wish for another time. A tad disappointed. Mom then quietly said, "Didn't you want to meet her? Just step forward and it will happen." In a few minutes the people around her dispersed and I finally got to speak to her. All I could say was that I have loved her music and I have been listening to her music for a very long time and when I do, its like I can feel God is around me. I introduced mom and said she is my Guru too. And at that point she held my Mom's hands for quite a while and bowed her head. Mom told her she feels as if she is transported to a different plane when she listens to Abida ji's music. Abida ji said nothing. But continued to hold our hands. And I was emotionally moved.
I have realized that I don't have to be sad or whatever for my eyes to mist over and sometimes weep at the altar. I could be perfectly happy and joyous everything can be picture perfect. But when I am at a temple and at the altar, I have at most times been overcome by emotion. And at other times I have fought it. And I have seen it happen with some people too. People, who I think are closer to God than any of us are. I believe Abida ji is one of them. And I wish, that someday soon, I am blessed with the peace that she radiates. The communication that she has with the creator. And I am looking forward to her concert tomorrow and you bet I am going to be an hour early.
Today, I wish for you, that you can feel what I have felt today. That you meet such people. And at some point in time feel that elusive oneness with the Creator and the Universe. May you live in love. Thathaastu and God bless

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your wishes Ms.Chinmayi. It feels nice after reading this post..Truly amazing..

Vijai said...

Hi Chin.
even i donno much about Parveen Ji, or about music i can feel a tint atleast, the happiest moment you had. Something blossoms on reading and thanx for sharing your happiness.
"Today, I wish for you, that you can feel what I have felt today."
This is what Chin..is !! .for which liked by so many. Being good is doing good...that makes others to feel good. rite?

Shiva said...

deeply touched...thanks Chinmayi.

Arun Vaidyanathan said...

Your words aren't mere those. Perhaps, people ready to receive can feel so. There is an immediate association that one can feel he/she has in all you've said/said to've experienced. And, in your style, here's wishing that all of us experience such elusive oneness with the Creator.
All the best.

Shankar said...

Moments like these.. indeed rare...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWFqdYBtILI

Karthikeyan said...

I always Beleive in this Saying..

"Some May Cum into ur Life
Some May Go out just like that
But Only Some Make an big impact in ur life"

Don't U agree with this Chinmayi...I think Abida is Sumthing Like that...

sathyanarayan said...

Thanks Chinmayee.. as I hope to feel the baton passed by AbidaJi thru you. (though till now I do no about AbidaJi).

I am one of those silent readers of your blog since past 6-7 months now.

M GANESAN said...

Dear Ms.Chinmayi,

"Your wishes and feelings touched our Heart " .Thanks.

Regards
M.Ganesan.
Sanquelim-Goa.

Sidhu said...

Hey

Stumbled upon your blog from Google.

You are blessed to meet Abida and watch her live. One of my lifetime favourite singers. Just waiting for the moment when i will get to see her live in concert :).

BTW here are the links to 2 videos on youtube from a programme called Bakhabar Savera. The host is Shaishta Wahidi:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xbJlyCoaZw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fRDbdCD-vs

Hope you enjoy this !

Cheers !

IamtheEyeofGod said...

Very true. The essence of Sufi music is surrender and submission to the one true God! I remember spending a night out on the beach under a jubilant sky with just her album 'Ruks e bismil' playing the whole night through.

I think 20 mins down I couldn't differentiate between the sky, beach and myself. It all seemed alike.

Aakarsh said...

i listened to some of her sufi songs. she was amazing in that album. i dont exactly recall the name, but i guess the lyrics were by Gulzar.

Nice post. Must be a nice experience as you have explained.Blessed are you and your mom(my regards to her) i must say.

ami kay? said...

i was there, for the concert...

and i believe i encountered with a divine spirit on stage...

i am not a religious person or anything, but last night was just a different experience.

you are blessed to get her blessings. chennai got very lucky last night.

Jayamurugan said...

Chinmayi,
Really a touching post. I dont have anymore words to express my feeling..
Keep Blogging :)

Anbuselvan said...

Hi Chinmayi,

Waiting eagerly to hear about your experience with Madam Adida Parveen's Music. Please share your experience.

Thanks in Advance,
Anbuselvan

Prasanna said...

I can see the passion in your words. good job in translating your emo into words!

Anonymous said...

It is extremely interesting for me to read the article. Thanks for it. I like such themes and everything that is connected to this matter. I would like to read more soon.

Maddy said...

You have passed the positive vibes of Abida Parveen to us thro this blog. May you be blessed and live in Love too

Niveta C said...

hey! i just came across your blog..and what amazing posts! you are not only a talented singer but also a talented blogger.. :) i had no idea whom Abidaji was until now. After reasing the blog i searched her name and listned to her music and by golly you are right. Completely transcended to a different place. Great post thanks for sharing!

Chuppandi said...

Been there for the concert... I was at loss of words to say how I actually felt. Very emotional and spectacular concert..

Been there for theh OS Arun-Sanjeev Abhyankar's... saw u were freaking out when the concert was on... Well if u were wondering what was i doing when it was on, I came for the aromatic coffee they served out there... Long time since i tasted one such... reminiscent of my ma's kitchen...

Good to see u back in Kanden Kadalai.. But i like the Kareena starrer much to tell u the fact.. For i do not like the Acting of Tamanna much... anyways thatz my view...

Great gunz keep blazing...

Vidya said...

Hi Chinmayi. Your posts are positive and postively nice:-) Could relate so well to this one particularly. Every time I listen to 'Kurai ondrum illai' by M.S, there's a lump in the throat, and the tears roll forth. I realize that it the closest anyone can get to the Divine. Have mentioned this elsewhere too..

Cheers..

Matangi Mawley said...

Been here before.. Being here again after a long time!

We did not have cable in our house until year 2002. DD was my saviour during these times. I was always made to listen to music by g.ramantha iyer, aadi narayana rao and the likes. But hindi music was rare in my household! One day, I came across someone on DD Metro. A voice that vibrated through all my senses! I saw her on screen- enjoying each note of the music that came out of her.. The song that she was singing- just stayed with me- and till now, it is one of my most favourite songs.. "jaaiye aap kahaan jayenge.."(mere sanam)!
I owe her a thanks- coz it's only because of her, i had got the opportunity to explore a different world - the world of "aap ki nazron ne samjha", "chaudvin ka chand","rahen na rahen hum" etc.
It's one of my dreams to see her live- just once in my life. and when i read your post- I felt as though I was living my dream!

Thanks!

Deepa said...

Luvd this post!
:-)
How was the concert? Do pls write about that as well.

Anitha D said...

Amazing post putting your emotions into words! What a feeling after reading this one! Take care~