The compere narrated a touching story:
Baba had lovingly taught his elder daughter Jahanara classical music. But when she was married into a very orthodox Muslim family, they burnt her Tanpura. Soon she also passed away. Baba was plunged in sorrow and took a decision never to teach music to girls.
Later, when Ali Akbar Khan, his son, was under training, one day he taught him a lesson and asked him to practise it till perfect and went out. When Ali Akbar started playing, he made a mistake. His sister, Annapurna, came and told him how he was not repeating Baba's lesson correctly. She started singing the correct way and showed him where he was wrong. Soon both were busy singing and playing the sarod when Baba returned home. Unaware that her stern father was standing behind her, Annapurna continued singing and showed excellent understanding of the raga and the lessons, which she had imbibed just by listening to Ali Akbar's classes. After some time, she realized Baba was standing there, and stopped in utter fear of punishment. But Baba said, 'yes, I have vowed never to teach girls, but your talent has made me change my heart. You're blessed and shall learn music'.
The famous Annapurna Devi's illustrious disciple Pandit Hariprasad is playing Maru Behag as I type this.
