Nostalgia - II

Madan Kumar believes in exploring and experimenting with all possible techniques - tonguing, vamping, bending, chording - of playing harmonica. "There is no fun if you play harmonica in single reeds. What is then the difference between playing a harmonica and playing say a flute?" he asks.

He also believes in innovation and improvisation. "One need not necessarily copy the exact tune of a song composed by someone else for a film. One can always make improvisation," he says. When he plays, the full impact of this tiny musical instrument is felt as if a full-fledged orchestra is accompanying his harmonica.

Enjoy one such number:

Madan Kumar Live: Nostalgia

The Gujarat Harmonica Club had the privilege of seeing mouth organ maestro Madan Kumar perform live before a select gathering in Ahmedabad on August 4. He was in his elements and so were the audience who included harmonica players of varied experience.

We all gathered at Bansi Gajjar's home around 9 p.m. After a round of chit-chat, we requested Madan Kumar to play some numbers for us. "Let me start with my all-time favourite song which always triggers off nostalgic memories," he said.

Here is the song - Yaad Kiya Dil Ne Kaha Ho Tum:

Mouth Organ Maestro Madan Kumar

It was world friendship day. Also a Sunday when members of the Harmonica Club of Gujarat assemble in a public park in the morning to practice and play.

"Madan Kumar is in Ahmedabad." This was Ramakrishna Sabnavees on the telephone. He had called up me and Tapan Bhatt to wish us on friendship day.

Tapan grabbed the opportunity that had come the way of the club and informed Sandeep Patankar to bring along Madan Kumar to the park.

Excitement ran high among the club members as the word spread that the doyen of harmonica was on his way to the park. Members surrounded Madan Kumar with the plea to play a few numbers. "I have heard so much about your club. First, please play all of you, one by one. I want to hear you," said Madan Kumar. So ernest was his request that the club members suppressed their desire to listen to the mouth organ maestro live and asked Aditya, the 12-year-old youngest member of the club to play a few numbers.

"It is Aditya's generation which will bring back the art of playing mouth organ into the mainstream of performing arts. I am glad to see that boys like Aditya are so passionate about mouth organ," said a beaming Madan Kumar.

"I too had picked up mouth organ when I was seven-year-old. It was 'Echo' from M Hohner, Germany, which my elder brother had brought home one day but would not allow me to touch. However, he forgot to take with him the instrument when he left for work. So I grabbed the piece and started playing to my heart's content. Since then, mouth organ became a part of me," said Madan Kumar, recalling his childhood days.

Over the next 60 years, Madan Kumar and mouth organ became synonymous. The HMV brought out more than a dozen of his records and noted music directors like Laxmikant Pyarelal and Khayyam have made him play romantic numbers for their films.

Nowadays, Madan Kumar teaches children in Pune.

The Harmonica Club of Gujarat could not resist its greed of listening to Madan Kumar live. Club trustee Bansi Gajjar called him over to his residence to spend an entire evening with the club members. We will be bringing you Madan Kumar live through rare videos on this blog.

Ramaiya Vasta Vaiya : Sanjay Agarwal

There is a delicacy in his playing. He always prefers to be perfect. Sometimes I wonder how such a busy person takes out time to learn and practice hard songs. Sanjay is a C.A.

Jago mohan pyare... Sanjay Agarwal

Our friend Sanjay Agarwal plays this song beautifully well. When he visited us, I recorded this song, but this recording is much better which he sent to me on a cd prepared at his home.
Very shortly we are going to perfoarm on one stage. I am inviting him to be a part of our next programme.
Harmonica Club of Gujarat will perform on the 28th of August in an old age home known as 'PANKHAR ni Haash', in Nadiad with players from Vadodara also.

Invitation is given to all those, who want to be part of this noble cause...

Our Inspiration : John and Ann

'Hello Tapan,

Thank you for your email. It sounds you and your harmonica club are doing a good job. Entertaining under privileged people in your town. We find it very rewarding, making music that everybody knows and can relate to. Even people who have dementia can recognise the old familiar tunes. We often see patients in their bed, moving their fingers in time with the rhythm. Or people in wheel chairs tapping their feet, also keeping time.

Your request about videos. I am very sorry, but we do not have any videos of our performances. I did make some photos now and then. Here are a few of the latest ones.

We wish you all the best with your group.

Happy Harping and best wishes from Ann and John'

This is an inspiration to all of us. Dear friends, when there is a will there is a way.
Look at the group with this lovely couple playing harmonicas and other musical instruments for the, patients and others.
Friends, let us all congratulate and wish them a very very long, healthy and happy life.

Mujhe kisi se : second spell

Sanjay and sharang can mesmerise everyone.

Even Music is hereditary

Master Sharang also known as Ustaad of violin , guides his father Sanjay when needed. Sharang says : 'just like harmonica one can express emotions through violin'. This is going to be a very good treat to all those who appreciate music.
Both of them played 'dil tadap tadap ke' song..
Without the real 'TADAP' it is hard to reach this level..
Hats off to both of them !!!

Meeting after 14 years :

Chandra sekhar Khare and Apoorva Bhatt met in Ahmedabad after almost 14 years. We had very nice time seeing both friends play very beautiful songs. I recorded a few songs, but felt very sorry about the poor sound quality. We all hope to have more and more such sessions.

Maang ke saath tumhara maine: 18th song

Manohar Vaidya