Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Unique gesture

Sir, — The recent news about the illness of the Shehnai maestro, Ustad Bismillah Khan, and his appeal to the Centre for help in meeting his medical expenses must have stirred the hearts of thousands of music-lovers all over the country. Should such a renowned musical genius, who was chosen as the chief musician of the famed Vishwanath Temple of Varanasi, suffer like this? This is very distressing, to say the least. But a heartening news came later that the Prime Minister contributed Rs. one lakh from the discretionary funds at his disposal. This was followed by the contributions of the President and the Government of Karnataka. As a token of humble contribution, the Thyagaraja Sangeetha Sabha of Anantapur sent him Rs. 5,000 immediately. In these days of communal hatred, violence and killings, this gesture has at once revealed the sublimity of classical music that transcends all barriers of religion, caste, creed and promotes love and affection among mankind.

I. K. Rao,
Anantapur, A.P.

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