Sachini Lakshika of BMV’s Web Blog

June 22, 2009. The last few days I have been in deep pain and anguish. I had been mentally very upset for some time, hearing that Alubhai was so unwell. Even though I was fearfully expectant of his passing, when I was told the sad news on Thursday night, I was stunned, shocked, and it was extremely painful. I phoned and spoke to his son Manik, and conveyed my love and condolences to the whole family. I am still trying to come to terms with this tragedy.

Bhai Ali Akbar was the son of my revered Guru Baba Allauddin and was acknowledged as one of the greatest musicians of our time. He created a tone and style of playing which became a hallmark for most Sarod players. We shared a deep bond as brothers and friends from the moment I went to Baba to learn in Maihar, in 1938! To me he was ‘Alubhai’ as I was ‘Robubhai’ to him! Later on when we were both established musicians we started to perform together and create a ‘jugalbandi’ that was unique and unparalleled. It took listeners by storm everywhere. Till the mid-70’s our duet was extremely popular in India, Europe and the US.

I was married to his sister for sometime and when we divorced, we had family problems, and unfortunately our relationship was strained for quite some time. But since the early-90’s we became close again, met a few times and chatted a lot on the phone, and this made me very happy.

Bhai Ali Akbar gave a lot of time and energy to his institution in San Rafael, California and created a number of good students of Indian instrumental music.

Basically, he was one of the sweetest and nicest people that I have come across! I don’t know why he had to leave me behind and go so soon. I miss him very much. In the meantime, I am living and loving the world for whatever time I have, and try not to worry. Sometimes a line comes to my mind – a line from Tagore’s “Mauron re tuhu Shyam Samaan” “- O Death you are Like Shyam, dark like Krishna…

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