My Guru, Pandit Arvind Parikh

This October, Pandit Arvind Parikh enters his centenary year, celebrating his ninety-ninth birthday on 19 October. It is an occasion of immense joy not only for his countless disciples, whom he has nurtured with extraordinary care and dedication, but also for the entire fraternity of Hindustani classical music, which affectionately knows him as ‘Arvind Bhai’. Revered equally for his musicianship, scholarship, humility and generosity, he occupies a rare place in the Indian classical music scenario.

A distinguished sitar maestro, profound thinker, eminent musicologist, devoted disciple of Ustad Vilayat Khan and an inspiring teacher, Pandit Arvind Parikh has devoted his life to preserving and transmitting the artistic vision of his illustrious guru. Honoured with the Padma Bhushan and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and later elected a Fellow of the Sangeet Natak Akademi (Akademi Ratna), he has made lasting contributions to Hindustani classical music. Beyond the world of music, he is equally respected as one of the pioneering architects of India's logistics industry, demonstrating an exceptional balance between artistic excellence and professional achievement.

Among the many blessings of my life has been the privilege of receiving ‘taalim’ from him. Having sought and obtained the permission of Ustad Vilayat Khan, he accepted me as his disciple in 1974. Those were extraordinarily busy years in his life, filled with responsibilities arising from both his business commitments and an active concert schedule. Yet, unfailingly, he would begin our lessons at nine o'clock every night. Remarkably, not the slightest trace of the day's fatigue ever appeared on his face. With unwavering patience, complete concentration and genuine affection, he would guide us through every subtle aspect of the sitar. More than five decades later, that invaluable bond between guru and disciple remains unbroken.

Even today, every Friday, he conducts a one-hour online workshop that brings together disciples living across India and abroad. Alongside his students, many serious seekers of music also participate. Over the years, these sessions have grown into a vibrant musical family united by their admiration for the Vilayatkhani tradition.

I was equally fortunate to learn vocal music from his wife, Kishori Parikh. Trained in the Kirana gharana under Ustad Niyaz Ahmed Khan and Ustad Faiyaz Ahmed Khan, she was an equally remarkable teacher. Like Arvind Bhai, her approach was deeply analytical. Every musical phrase was examined with precision, and no question from a student was ever considered too small or insignificant. Throughout her life, she remained unfailingly accessible to those eager to learn.

Bharata's Natya Shastra describes six essential qualities of an ideal acharya: mastery of knowledge, the ability to analyse and explain that knowledge, command over technique, the capacity to demonstrate it through practical performance, effective communication, and the ability to shape accomplished disciples. Few musicians embody these ideals as completely as Pandit Arvind Parikh.

Teaching, for him, has always been a sacred responsibility. Throughout his long career as a revered guru, he has never charged a fee for imparting knowledge. The only offering he expects from his disciples is sincerity in their riyaz and unwavering reverence for the guru-shishya parampara, especially for the legacy of Ustad Vilayat Khan and the aesthetic values of the Etawah-Imdadkhani gharana.

As the senior-most gandabandh shagird of the legendary Vilayat Khan, Arvind Parikh spent nearly six decades in intimate association with his guru. This extraordinary closeness enabled him to absorb not merely the repertoire but also the philosophy, aesthetics and subtle nuances of the Vilayatkhani baaj. It is therefore natural that he is regarded today as one of the foremost custodians of this distinguished musical lineage, preserving its authenticity while nurturing future generations with unwavering commitment.

One of the most cherished traditions established by him is the annual two-day Guru Purnima festival, where his disciples offer their musical homage to the memory of Ustad Vilayat Khan. Students travel from different parts of India and the world to participate in what has become a deeply moving annual pilgrimage for members of the Vilayatkhani family. The atmosphere is not one of performance alone but of gratitude, devotion and shared learning.

Over the decades, he has trained students from across the globe. Many have become graded artists of All India Radio and Doordarshan, while several others have themselves emerged as respected teachers. Under his careful guidance, they continue to preserve the distinctive idiom, aesthetics and values of the Etawah-Imdadkhani gharana, ensuring that the tradition remains rooted even as it reaches new audiences.

His contribution to music education extends far beyond formal lessons. He has utilised his business expertise to cultivate his pedagogy. He has structured and digitalised it with a practical approach easy to follow and put it on the mobiles of his students for ready reference. For many years he organised intimate monthly ‘baithaks’ at his home, inviting eminent musicians representing diverse stylistic traditions. These gatherings, combining conversation, demonstration and performance, were originally intended to broaden the artistic horizons of his disciples. Their intellectual richness eventually attracted a much wider audience, and today these recordings form a valuable and widely appreciated archives of Hindustani classical music available on YouTube.

Yet, beyond all the accomplishments of the musician and teacher, it is the human being who inspires us most. Even at ninety-eight, his daily routine follows the precision of a finely regulated clock. His disciplined lifestyle, punctuality, analytical mind, relentless engagement with issues concerning Indian classical music and compassionate support for musicians in need reveal a personality of remarkable integrity. Added to these are his delightful sense of humour, gentle wit and profound humility. Simply observing the way he lives is itself an education.

The Sanskrit maxim Vidya Dadati Vinayam—true knowledge bestows humility—finds its finest expression in Pandit Arvind Parikh. Scholarship has made him wiser, achievement has made him humbler, and success has only deepened his generosity.

As he enters his centenary year, countless disciples, admirers and music lovers join in offering him our deepest gratitude. We pray that he continues to enjoy good health, boundless energy and creative fulfillment for many years to come, guiding future generations with the same wisdom, compassion and unwavering dedication that have illuminated his remarkable journey.