Travelling by a regular taxi in Mumbai is a tough task. The typical, strong smell of the regular taxis is a HUGE challenge for one's olfactory senses. Add distinct idiosyncrasies of the driver that often tries one's patience, the loud and often vulgar Bollywood numbers that play on the radio, chaotic traffic and blowing horns from every possible corner of the street, I think you get the drift. I usually, don't use these taxis but whenever I do, most of my experiences are filled with interesting conversations with drivers from different places. The conversations are generally initiated by the taxi drivers, who in my observation love to share, guide, educate and laugh a lot! Perhaps, it is there escape that helps them sail through hardship of daily grind.
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| Rajendra Prasad Rai Pandit, the taxi driver from Jaunpur |
Yesterday, I was waiting for taxi in heavy rain for almost fifteen minutes when finally a taxi driver showed some mercy. The moment I got in the taxi, he screeched the engine, shot through the narrow gap into seething mass of Mumbai traffic, incessantly blowing horn that faded into cacophony all around. The taxi swerved recklessly splashing water, sending waves into already flooded roads. The driver was blissfully ignorant of the abusive words coming from people on the road and other drivers mad at his driving. He was too busy humming and lost in his own world. Interestingly, within a minute, his humming transformed into beautiful rendition of traditional Indian classical songs like Kajri, Chaiti, Thumri and I realized what an immensely gifted singer he was. He had amazingly beautiful voice and rawness in his singing!
I could not help asking him if he had any formal education in music. Little perturbed and surprised, he blushed and replied, "Nahi madam, gaana kaha sikh paaye. Rozi roti ke chakkar me yaha bambai aa gaye, tabse bas taxi hi chalate hain. Hum thehre Jaunpur ke, isliye gaane ka shauk hain. Bachpan se sunte jo aaye hain." (No madam, I could not learn singing as I my main concern was to get employment and feed my family. Since I am from Jaunpur; a place known for great traditional Indian classical music, I sing what I have grown up listening.")
From that point onwards, the journey became a rolling confessional. He told me about how he hated drudgery of fixed hours in a typical job and instead preferred being his own boss; stories about some nut case, mean and stodgy passengers, his large family back home, his love for singing that he continues during and after the work hours. When I suggested, he should think about singing professionally, he seemed shocked. "Kya maidam aap mazak kar rahe ho. Hum to sirf humare apne anand ke liye gate hain" (you must be kidding madam. I sing for myself as that makes me happy") I told him with serious face about me being a graduate in Indian classical music and that I could make out if the singer has any potential. He was speechless and quiet for a minute. He knew I was serious about what I had suggested.
As we were about to reach my destination, he started singing a nice Kabir Bhajan and finished it just on time. While paying my fare, I told him to continue his singing and never to give it up. "Thank you madam, aise rasik passengers bahut kam milte hain." (I rarely get passengers who understand my singing) I was so inspired by Rajendra Prasad who despite his vanquished dream continued pursuing it in whatever way he could and was happy. When I told him I was going to show his picture to my family and friends and write about him, bit hesitantly, he posed for the camera. When we parted, off he sped to the chaotic streets, elated, with a smile on his face and song in his heart!
"The singer has everything within him. The notes come out from his very life. They are not materials gathered from outside."
~Rabindranath Tagore
I could not help asking him if he had any formal education in music. Little perturbed and surprised, he blushed and replied, "Nahi madam, gaana kaha sikh paaye. Rozi roti ke chakkar me yaha bambai aa gaye, tabse bas taxi hi chalate hain. Hum thehre Jaunpur ke, isliye gaane ka shauk hain. Bachpan se sunte jo aaye hain." (No madam, I could not learn singing as I my main concern was to get employment and feed my family. Since I am from Jaunpur; a place known for great traditional Indian classical music, I sing what I have grown up listening.")
From that point onwards, the journey became a rolling confessional. He told me about how he hated drudgery of fixed hours in a typical job and instead preferred being his own boss; stories about some nut case, mean and stodgy passengers, his large family back home, his love for singing that he continues during and after the work hours. When I suggested, he should think about singing professionally, he seemed shocked. "Kya maidam aap mazak kar rahe ho. Hum to sirf humare apne anand ke liye gate hain" (you must be kidding madam. I sing for myself as that makes me happy") I told him with serious face about me being a graduate in Indian classical music and that I could make out if the singer has any potential. He was speechless and quiet for a minute. He knew I was serious about what I had suggested.
As we were about to reach my destination, he started singing a nice Kabir Bhajan and finished it just on time. While paying my fare, I told him to continue his singing and never to give it up. "Thank you madam, aise rasik passengers bahut kam milte hain." (I rarely get passengers who understand my singing) I was so inspired by Rajendra Prasad who despite his vanquished dream continued pursuing it in whatever way he could and was happy. When I told him I was going to show his picture to my family and friends and write about him, bit hesitantly, he posed for the camera. When we parted, off he sped to the chaotic streets, elated, with a smile on his face and song in his heart!
"The singer has everything within him. The notes come out from his very life. They are not materials gathered from outside."
~Rabindranath Tagore
