The Lost Mentor

Bhramar was a big devotee of Lord Hanuman. The Lord protected her and gave her the courage to overcome difficulties in life. Ever since Bhramar had known that her father had abandoned her mother Kaberi and her, from then on she had laid all her insecurities on her lord's feet. The Lord did not let her down and always laid honour to the trust of her devotee Bhramar.

Ever since Aditya had abandoned his wife and daughter to chase a life of a celebrated musician, his family was taken care of by his father in law Atindra. Kaberi was herself a good singer and she had fallen in love with her fellow singer and mentor Aditya. In a whirlwind romance, they had married and had a daughter Bhramar in double-quick time. But Aditya could not adjust to family life and walked away to a life of show biz in music. Luckily, he found success very soon and became a star classical singer. Aditya became a household name very soon. Throughout the year he participated in music soirees and concerts in the country and on foreign soil and was highly successful. Kaberi was left alone to fend for herself and her baby Bhramar. For this sake, she had to abandon her music career. Fortunately, her father Atindra took her and her daughter under his care so they were saved. Atindra himself was a master craftsman and built very durable and soulful musical instruments, that was in great demand by all musicians both established ones and those struggling to make a living. Little Bhramar learnt to make wired instruments and also learnt to sing. She mainly did sing country folk songs and started becoming popular. Her mother, Kaberi, however, wished her daughter to pursue higher education and not follow a career in music which she thought would not give a secure future. But Bhramar was determined and her objective in life was to participate in a music competition with the great musician Aditya and beat him. This would be an almost impossible achievement. Because Bhramar was still a learner and Aditya was not only a good singer but now was a great teacher and mentor with many star students under his tutelage.

But Bhramar knew that the job on her hands was not only challenging but also impossible. As she had taken up the challenge, Bhramar knew that she could not back out now. Day-night she practised and did the Riaz. Whatever money she Could muster, Bhramar employed the best of teachers. She also enrolled in music in her undergraduate course.

Very soon, Bhramar came out of music school with the best of marks. Then while participating in various shows, Bhramar came to know about the daring feats of Aditya. She set up a challenge for herself to take on Aditya someday. But she had not been told that Aditya was her father who had abandoned her at her infant stage. 

As time went on Bhramar became more and more of a better singer. She was hailed as a great singer of her 'Gharana'. The most wonderful thing about her was that she had been trained by many Gurus throughout her growing years so she was not confined within the boundaries of one Gharana. Also, she had the humility to embrace all and every type she picked up on her journey of life. This was her strength and greatness.

Bhramar's mother, Kaberi was very scared of letting her daughter come face to face with her father Aditya in a competition. Kaberi just couldn't imagine how the situation would unfold in such a scenario. Because she was very protective of her daughter on one hand and detested Aditya on the other who was like a lost mentor to her.

As time passed Aditya came to know of the growing fame of Bhramar and that she was the abandoned daughter he had sired.

He became more and more curious about her and was keen to contest her in a competition.

Then the day of the competition arrived. The two stalwarts were seated on the stage. It was a sell-out show. Kaberi was seated in the audience very tense.

The competition started with the classic songs of Indian traditions. At first, Aditya held sway and had a definitive edge. Bhramar gave a good challenge but somehow was feeling herself being dragged into submission. Then all of a sudden a lot of vanities took over Aditya and he beamed with overconfidence. This rung his death knell. Bhramar, however, didn't lose her cool and slowly her renderings improved dramatically.

Then at one point, Aditya got annoyed and walked away from the show. The organisers tried to bring him back but he never listened and continued to walk away. But then someone from the audience shouted that the master should give away the prize to the new winner and achiever and that is the lesson all artists learn the first attribute under their 'talim' or training. Hearing this Aditya halted and from somewhere his conscience woke up saying that he must hand over the winner's trophy to the girl.

Bhramar taking the trophy bent down and touched Aditya's feet in obeisance. Momentarily, Aditya's ego got washed away and he embraced Bhramar in a tight embrace. Bhramar whispered slowly in Aditya's ear 'Baba'. Aditya could not hold back his tears. Lord Hanuman had united them.