By Kavita A Chhibber
When Ajit met Pandit Ravi Shankar for the first time in 2001 or 2002, , Pandit ji found out that Ajit had studied Sitar under the disciple of his senior disciple, and promptly exclaimed lovingly “Oh then you are my grandson!”
Ravi ji and I finished our second, very in-depth interview in person, because I had been complaining that our first interview was on the phone. And that I had been waiting to meet him since I was 10. I did meet him after the show. But he gave me a lot of time for this second interview in Michigan
Soon after, a couple came to fetch Sukanya Shankar Ji and Pandit ji, to have lunch at their place, and as Ajit and I were leaving, Ravi Ji introduced us. ” This is Kavita, and that is my grandson Ajit.”
We still laugh about the look of utter confusion on the couple’s faces. The world was just getting to know Norah Jones, Ravi ji’s other talented daughter, and now suddenly this grandson pops up from nowhere!
The loving way in which Ajit began to be referred to as “the grandson” since then, and Sukanya Ji calls him that even today, is the loving kindness we will cherish always.
Having said that, if Ajit started claiming that he is related to Ravi Ji by blood, just because he was being referred to as the grandson, and that too by Pandit ji himself since 2001, it would definitely be an alternate universe. And a serious delusion.
Over the years I have seen many self serving ass kissers who would give anything to be in the presence of Pandit Ravi Shankar and many other great legends like him, reveal their true colors, after the legends have left the planet.
Suki, Ravi ji’s dog was the litmus test. She knew and would not let those people near him. Ajit and I used to watch this happen all the time, when we would go backstage to meet the Shankars after the concert.
But not once did I see them, be anything but kind and courteous to even these people.
Fake friendships, alliances are not just in the world of music. You see them in business, films, even with famous spiritual masters, but they are a part of our reality today. In our day to day lives.
There are so many trying to ride on the coat tails of legends,, bask in grabbed glory and then latch on to the next person when they are found out. But inside, everyone knows the truth. And these hangers-on are always the laughing stock behind their backs. They are told off on their faces, as well by people who are not as gracious.
You’ve got to be a very “small” person, if you have to make “tall” claims, about your relationship with someone who is not around to deny it or would have been gracious enough to have shown you loving kindness, irrespective of those tall claims.
Some people are not as kind. I have seen that as a journalist as well. They have taken the charlatans to task immediately.
Loyalty, integrity, ethics always stand out. Everyone can see it. In the end that is what you will be respected for.
Be known and respected by what you are, not who you know.
Always be grateful for the love, give credit to the right people, and stay humble. Every business is about relationships. You can only stay relevant if you don’t do things that make people disrespect you and turn you into someone irrelevant. Happens faster than you realize.
Choose wisely.
Just saying.