Feb. 2021 Newsletter: A Story of Love and Music

Hello Friends,

I hope you're all doing well. With Valentines Day just around the corner, I am reminded of something that happened back when I was living with my Guruji and learning Tabla. For those of you who aren't aware... I learnt Tabla by living with my Guruji for 12 years.

One day, while he was teaching me a new composition, he kept repeating "pour more love into it!" I was 15 or 16 years old at the time, and didn't know how to pour love of any kind.

Losing his patience, he looked at me sternly and asked, "Do you have a girlfriend?"

"..."

"Have you ever kissed a girl?"

I was shocked by that question... I didn't know why Guruji was asking me such an awkward question. I also wasn't sure what would get me killed, saying yes or no. I decided I would rather die being honest with him, so I blurted out the truth and said, "No".

Angry by now, he said, "Stop playing and get out of my house! Come back only when you have found someone to love."

Lo and behold, I was suddenly standing outside in the summer heat of Varanasi, not knowing what to do. My rescue came in the form of his wife (Guruma), who came looking for me an hour later when I wasn't at lunch. After hearing why I was standing there in the heat, the poor woman mumbled "Good grief" and said "if something like this ever happens again, come tell me first."

And I still remember how, after I met my future wife for the first time... my Tabla suddenly had all the love it needed and Guruji was happy! Thankfully, he didn't ask me any such questions thereafter! :-)

With each passing day, I realize more and more how unorthodox this might seem to the modern mind, and yet how precious and amazing my Guruji's way of teaching was. Often when I teach lectures or masterclasses, I am asked by people to write a book and share these experiences. Inspired by that, I have launched a new video series on my YouTube channel.

If you like what I am doing, please take a minute to subscribe so you can get updated whenever a new video is posted. Subscription is free. Also, help the content reach more people, and kindly share it with friends and peeps you think might be interested or will benefit from it.

Suggestions on how to make it better are always greatly appreciated.

Thanks once more for your love and support. Happy Valentines Day!

Sandeep