City's classical musicians bid Girija Devi a tearful goodbye

The city's foremost classical musicians congregated at the Sangeet Research Academy in Tollygunge on Wednesday to bid adieu to Girija Devi. While Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi paid his respects, Pt Vijay Kichlu was seen consoling Girija Devi's daughter, Sudha Dutta.Tanmoy Bose, who came to offer his condolences, said, “I have fond memories of her.I remember a thumri concert, where she was sitting in the audience.I was already into laggi, a faster pace of tabla where the performer often improvises, when she told me, `Benarasi jaisa bajaibe'. As a senior, she pointed out how I first need to think like a Benarasi to justify the act.“

Pt Tejendra Narayan Majumdar said, “Though she addressed me as beta, I was more of a son-in-law to her. My wife, Manasi, was her disciple. She was also the rakhi sister of my guru, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan sahab.Once I accompanied Ustadji to her home, where she performed for him. After a point, there were tears in the eyes of both Appaji (Devi) and guruji."



Music entrepreneur Shouvik Dasgupta, who knew Girija Devi for two decades, said, “I have organised many concerts for her.She was like a family member and had gifted my daughter a diamond ring. I met her in Benaras only six months back, and she had looked absolutely fit then. It is a great loss for us.“