My earliest memory of Bharat Bhushanji is of my first visit to the family then residing in their house in the Survey of India estate. It was that yes-no- yes- but..... phase of shadow manoeuvres that takes place in every Indian family before the proposal of prospective boy or girl matures into something substantial i.e. an engagement ceremony. My sister Mridul was being considered as a prospective bride for his younger brother Shri Shashi Bhushan. As is wont in the Indian scheme of things, being from the girl's side I was more subdued than reserved. Both the brothers (Bharatji and Sureshji) were impeccable hosts and kept me engaged in a lively conversation on the current events and their views on them. After the marriage, I met Bharat jijaji a number of times and specially after he had come close to the neighborhood in Pragati Vihar where my sister and her family lived.
Passion for the good word - a word well spoken, well written, well delivered - that is evident in all his siblings and acknowledged by them was aroused by him. Not lacking in love for good things myself, I used to feel quite intimidated when in the company of his siblings. Anyone and everyone could launch into Hindi, Urdu or Sanskrit couplets that too in the Sawal- Jawab genre.
Even though I never heard him singing and I am not really sure, but I strongly suspect that the love for simple , soulful and joyous melodies with good words was also his influence on them. In close family gatherings I have seen this happen not once but many times. Come even the mention of an old Mohd Rafi favourite "Roshan tumhi se duniya, Raunak tumhi jahan ki" and the entire lot would burst out singing. The whole song would be sung, words gushing out and bathing each one of them in a joi- de - vivre.
Typical was his style of greeting you on meeting after a long time that made you feel special. Big or small, his right hand would shoot up, typically naval style palm facing downwards, to the center of his forehead. Eyes would close momentarily before the uncoiling of the hand that would spring back straight to an open gesture of accepting your hand with a big smile. This alone told volumes of his persona.
Its so strange how one gets people together and how he lives ever more with you when he has physically left your surroundings. But in the heavenly abode you have left for my wish for you is the same as those last words of the same popular refrain " Salamat Raho".
Passion for the good word - a word well spoken, well written, well delivered - that is evident in all his siblings and acknowledged by them was aroused by him. Not lacking in love for good things myself, I used to feel quite intimidated when in the company of his siblings. Anyone and everyone could launch into Hindi, Urdu or Sanskrit couplets that too in the Sawal- Jawab genre.
Even though I never heard him singing and I am not really sure, but I strongly suspect that the love for simple , soulful and joyous melodies with good words was also his influence on them. In close family gatherings I have seen this happen not once but many times. Come even the mention of an old Mohd Rafi favourite "Roshan tumhi se duniya, Raunak tumhi jahan ki" and the entire lot would burst out singing. The whole song would be sung, words gushing out and bathing each one of them in a joi- de - vivre.
Typical was his style of greeting you on meeting after a long time that made you feel special. Big or small, his right hand would shoot up, typically naval style palm facing downwards, to the center of his forehead. Eyes would close momentarily before the uncoiling of the hand that would spring back straight to an open gesture of accepting your hand with a big smile. This alone told volumes of his persona.
Its so strange how one gets people together and how he lives ever more with you when he has physically left your surroundings. But in the heavenly abode you have left for my wish for you is the same as those last words of the same popular refrain " Salamat Raho".
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