Meeting a Legend

 

I was at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune today for meetings with the medical director and some administrative staff. 

At the end of the day I stood on the 7th floor waiting to take the elevator down. Suddenly one elevator came up and from that alighted a group of people. One face in them I recognized immediately. Ashatai ( Bhonsle). I stood in awe. Didn’t want to stalk her or anything like that. But I would be lying if I say that the thought didn’t cross my mind wishing I could greet her and talk to her. 

I glanced at her and our eyes met as she was walking past me. Suddenly she stopped, turned to me and folded her hands in namaste gesture. You remind me of Kishori tai( Amonkar) she said. I had reflexly folded my hands in reverence and walked closer to her, introduced myself and told her how grateful I was to work at this hospital and also towards her family for establishing this hospital. She repeated again that my resemblance to Kishori tai prompted her to stop. I said see how fortunate I am that I got a chance to meet you.

There was no chance for photo and I am happy it was that way. There was nothing artificial about the encounter. Every thing was on the spur of the moment and every word from both sides came from the heart. The next moment we were each on our way.

She could have just walked by. There was no need to stop and talk to a nobody like me. God’s Grace works miraculously. This unexpected meeting with this legend will remain in my memory for a long time. 

Incidentally earlier today I had seen a forwarded video of Kishori tai paying tribute to another legend Manik taj Verma. It was such an emotional and heartfelt tribute that I had tears in my eyes and I saw a side of Kishori tai that I had never seen before. The thought of her was lingering in my mind all day. And what a coincidence that Asha tai should find a resemblance in me with this legendary singer! Everything seems so mysterious.