Just a thought



The army has patronised sportspersons right from the pre-independence era in our country. Major Dhyan Chand and Flying Sikh Milkha Singh's names come to our mind immediately. After independence, other government departments like the Indian Railways and even public sector undertakings like Indian Oil, Indian Telephone Industries etc. continued this practice. In the absence of such practice, many of the talents would have withered unsung.
In the field of our classical music, the musicians were being patronised by the emperors, kings and rich landlords in the yesteryears. But in and around  40's and 50's, there was a void. With the emperors all gone and the kings losing their kingships, many poor, talented musicians lost their support and were forced to live a life of penury.
Just imagine if only the defence forces would had made provision to employ a few talented musicians. With their lively hood taken care of, they could have concentrated on honing their skills. May be the world of classical music would have been richer!
Just a wishful thing you might say.
On a lighter vein, I can only imagine of a concert by such artists. The announcement would have gone like this," Aaj ke sangeet sammelan mein aap Squadron Leader Ustad Ustad Asadulla Khan se Raag Bhimpalasi sunenge.Sarangi par sangat karenge Major Pt. Chunnilal Misra aur tabla saath denge Captain Pt.Anindo Chatterjee." (Imagined names).

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