( Kashmir Rechords Exclusive)

When faced with a dire situation, Kashmiri Pandits prove their mettle or used to prove their mettle. The quality conscious stalwarts of this community would not rest until they molded their thought processes to achieve perfection. The benchmark was at least to try to follow the set standards of the interests one is pursuing. There may not be much to cheer or share this sentiment presently but the subterranean undercurrents to cherish standards is in the collective conscious of the community and that awaits a proper environment for release and blossoming. Till then the community has to depend upon the past glories to receive inspiration.  

The brothers Pandit Vijay Kitchlu and Ravi Kichlu were one such duo who excelled in the field of Indian Classical Music. Both achieved prominence in this field and were institution makers. The exponents of Agra Gharana under Ustad Latafat Hussain Khan they studied Dhrupad under the legendary Ustad Moiunudin and Ustad Aminudin Dagar Sahib. Sons of Kishan Lal and Kripa Kichlu, they trace their genealogy to one Shri Kripal Kuchroo (1785) who was a native of Kashmir. Round about 1790, the family is seen to be settled in Almorah (Uttarakhand), then United Provinces. The records pertaining to this have been maintained by one Pandit Amar Nath Wanchoo, son of India’s noted jurist Pandit Kailas Nath Wanchoo.

Pandit Ravi Kichlu……..The Master of Thumri

It is said that Pandit Ravi Kichlu’s music was a blend of Agra Gharana and Dagar Bani. His elder brother, Pandit Vijay Kichlu (16-09-1930 to 17-02-2023) and Ravi Kichlu (December 1932 to September 1993) were both in the league of famous musicians Pandit Ravishankar and others. Kolkata was their karambhoomi. Ravi Kichlu was well known not only as a classical vocalist but also as a leading exponent of semi classical and folk forms which includes Thumri, Dadra, Kajri and others. A collection of ghazals the music of which he composed himself as archival resource is available and is considered one of the best vocal presentation of the art preserved upon which many developed their music further.

Pandit Vijay Kitchlu………The Institution Builder

Apart from being a highly accomplished vocalist, Pandit Vijay Kichlu was an institution builder. The 2018 Padamshree awardee vocalist founded Sangeet Research Academy at Kolkata in 1977, a venture under ITC group of companies. He continued as its head up to the year 2002. Under Pandit Vijay Kichlu’s stewardship, the academy prided itself in introducing noted vocalists Pandit Ajoy Chakravarty, his equally accomplished daughter Kaushiki Chakravarty, vocal classical heartthrob Rashid Khan and others. They all acknowledge Pandit Vijay Kichlu’s role in shaping their careers.

Pandit Vijay Kichlu had an inherent sense of humour and necessary expertise to influence the corporate world in aligning to his opinion to preserve classical music art forms.  Considered as a Banyan Tree in Indian Classical Music, this Kashmiri Pandit had also a Master’s Degree in History from Allahabad University. He breathed his last only this year on February 17.