We are taught to grow up in this world not a moment later than when we are born. There are infinite possibilities and limitations to our existence. With so many things to learn and even more to be taught, it is safe to wonder: Who is a teacher? Imagine a traveller whose lifelong dream is to find an invaluable gem, someday they find it but instead of rightfully keeping it for themselves, they want to make sure they leave behind a safe trail for all. They make sure that nobody misses out on the thrill of discovery. That is a teacher. Today, we honor some of these incredible teachers and their significant impact on Indian art and culture.
- Rabindranath Tagore
India has been blessed with a fathomless sea of such selfless masters. Champions who excelled so much at their craft that they took the greatest pleasure in sharing it. Surely there must be little who wouldn’t have encountered the name of Rabindranath Tagore (born Robindronath Thakur) in their lives. Also called the Bard of Bengal, he grew up highly introverted and full of overflowing literary fervour. He maximised the mere length of human life and became a scholar, painter, philosopher, playwright, novelist and a revolutionary. However, in his own words the only thing he could see himself as was a poet. It was perhaps his serenity and poetry that led him to establish one of India’s most peaceful education institutes; Shantiniketan. Having dropped out of school himself on grounds
of claustrophobia, he set out to create an open world where all the formalities of western education were married with the cultural wisdom of the east. An unyielding energy source, his impact on our nation lives within us all.
2. Pandit Birju Maharaj
Years later, another exponent was born into a similarly well known family. Kathak exponent Pandit Birju Maharaj of the Kalka-Bindadin Gharana of Lucknow is credited to have brought in a new wave of interest in the elegant dance form of Kathak. A divine dedication is demanded from those who wish to raise their limits, this exudes effervescently in his precise footwork and fluidity. He started teaching from his adolescence and has inspired leagues and leagues of Kathak aficionados to achieve greatness.
3. Master Dhanraj
One realizes that great teachers are not only those who achieved greatness in their own careers, but more often than not, they are those who, with their methods of instruction and impactful personalities harbour some of the greatest students. When one thinks of western classical music, one imagines Austrian-born Mozart or German-born Bach, however, it was one man in Chennai, Tamil Nadu who brought to the city the great orchestrations of the west. That man is Master Dhanraj. A prolific piano, violin and guitar player, his students include A.R Rahman, Ilaayiraja, Vidyasagar and Sham. One cannot imagine how dull the musicscape of our country would have been had it not been for him.
4. Ebrahim Alkazi
A place where poetry, music and dance combine is the stage. Amongst the many tragic victims of this year, we also lost the pioneer Ebrahim Alkazi. As director of the National School of Drama, Delhi (NSD), he left no stone unturned in executing his vision of Indian theatre. As a colossal young success, he revolutionised theatre as not just a means of entertainment but a discipline of study. A stickler of rules and connoisseur of art, his many facets conjoined to give us some of the most acclaimed actors, like Naseeruddin Shah, Anupam Kher and Om Puri. He was a teacher who purely led by example.
5. Raghu Rai
One cannot understate the relevance of photographs in our lives, it definitely is the most cheaply available means of time travel. Few have achieved the level of excellence as Raghunath Rai in the field. He has served as the jury of a plethora of prestigious competitions and created world-class
exhibitions. His work gives us a very succinct glimpse of Indian life. Turning the mundanity of life into a spectacle is a skill that he has mastered. His impact his seen almost everywhere in Social Media, his passion inspires us all to pick up a camera and preserve a slice of this everchanging world.
Let us all take this day to pause and remember all those who have made our lives better! Happy teacher’s day!
