Mysuru: Pandit Udayaraj Karpur has described late Sarod Maestro Pandit Rajeev Taranath as a rare personality, who was worshipping his Guru as God, by keeping the latter’s portrait in his house, till his last days.

He was sharing his views during a talk organised in commemoration of Pt. Rajeev Taranath, on his first death anniversary on June 11 by Pandit Rajeev Taranath Memorial Trust, at Ganabharathi in city.

For Pt. Taranath, the nuances of music, tabla and ayurveda came as an inheritance. He had learnt Hindustani Classical Music under the tutelage of Savanur Krishnacharya, Venkatrao Ramadurgakar, Panchakshari Gawai and Shankarrao Devagiri of Gwalior Gharana. After hearing the music concert of renowned Sarod exponent Ustad Ali Akbar Khan at Town Hall in Bengaluru in 1953, Pt. Rajeev Taranath was so awestruck that he evinced interest to learn Sarod. He learnt the nuances of Sarod from Annapoorna Devi at Ali Akbar Khan College of Music, Kolkata, recalled Pandit Karpur.

Pt. Rajeev Taranath groomed his disciples too, providing them the opportunity to perform in his concerts. Along with financial help, he did all his mite for the coterie of artistes who were with him, including myself, he said, in praise of Pt. Taranath.

“I still remember how Taranath helped an artiste during his US tour, by transferring Rs. 3 lakh to the latter’s bank account from there itself,” said Pandit Karpur.

Pandit Rajeev Taranath Memorial Music Concert was presented by Vidushi S.V. Sahana, who performed on veena, with Vidwan K.U. Jayachandra Rao on mridanga and Vidwan G.S. Ramanujam on ghata.

Sumangala, Krishna Manavalli and Indira Nair were present among those present.