From the Foreword: "I was quite taken by Shivnath Jha's story when he turned up at my home with the request that I write this foreword. It is quite an inspiring and amazing tale filled with strife, struggle and then success. He started of as a newspaper hawker even when he was a child, then became a copyhandler at a Patna based newspaper The Indian Nation in 1975. A few years later he was to be discovered by the eminent journalist M.J. Akbar who introduced him to mainstream journalism through the telegraph the newspaper he had launched as an editor. Thereafter, Shivnath has gone on to work under the finest editors India has known like Vir Sanghvi, HK Dua, CR Irani, Prabhu Chawla and Shekhar Gupta. Today he is an investigative journalist with Sahara time and though I am yet to read his final draft I am still pleased by his spirit, passion and honesty.
What I have found really admirable is his dedication and sincerity towards Indian classical music. A love which found him at the doorsteps of Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan. Ustad Sahib must have found that grain of truth within Shivnath and decided to talk at length about his music with him. Long conversations which have gone on to shape this offering. I myself have known Ustad Sahib for a long time now. At hand to see one of my early performances he passed on his wisdom to me after it ended. A piece of advice he felt he had to give to a young and true representative of Banaras Gharana about secrets of Riyaaz. Something I adhere to even now. I know that just the way he has inspired me as a musician, his journey from obscurity to becoming an enduring icon will continue to inspire millions for generations to come.
Bismillah Khan's life is filled with marvelous anecdotes, some of which I have had the good fortune to experience first hand. A few years back, even before he was anointed as Bharat Ratna, he was to be given the Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhawana Puraskar. Initially he was a little hesitant about accepting the award because he thought that he is not well equipped to deliver an acceptance speech at the ceremony. His hesitation turned to a reluctant yes after a lot of persuasion. He bargained for a Shehnai recital instead of a speech which is mandatory for the award winner. Nevertheless after a brilliant performance, he spontaneously started to speak about his concept of Sadbhawna and what a speech that was.
The next day there was a banquet for Khan Sahib at Delhi's Hyderabad House, the venue for all receptions held by the government of India in honour of important foreign dignitaries. The dining hall was filled with the powers that be and innumerable celebrities still intoxicated by the memorable performance Khan Sahib had given the previous day. The Prime Minister was there along with his cabinet and other eminent dignitaries.
This is my most powerful memory of the man. Khan Sahib was given the pride of place and was seated between the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. A regiment of tall, strapping, liveried, gloved attendants made an entry from behind an imposing curtain, to wait behind each seated dignitary. The entire gathering was waiting for Khan Sahib to begin and signal the start of the luncheon. About this time he shouted asking for me 'Ritaji, Kahan ho tum'?
He insisted on me sitting next to him. Embarrassed as I was, I had little option but to change places with the honorable Union Home Minister. Then he asked me whether pious Muslims can eat the meat laid out or not. It was only after my assurance that he began eating. The incident said a lot about his imperviousness to manmade protocols and barriers. To me it was great education and an insight into how things could be done with remarkable confidence and innocence at the same time. He was so sure about what he wanted.
Connected with the same incident is another indelible memory about another Bharat Ratna. Our much loved and respected President, his excellency Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. I got a call from him and he asked for my permission to use in the citation excerpts from my book: Bismillah Khan and Benares the seat of Shehnai. The great dignity with which had addressed me left me pleasantly reeling. I mean here was one of the greatest scientists our country has known and he is asking for my permission when many have used my work without even so much as a thank you note.
I am so glad that the first coy of this monograph would be received by the Honourable President who himself is a keen musician. And, I am really proud to be a part of this book on Ustad Bismillah Khan whom I wish many years of good health on his ninetieth birthday that is March 21, 2005."
