From the Archives
This reflection was originally written on 26 March 2010 as a Facebook Note and was last edited on 6 May 2021. It has been lightly refined and republished here for clarity and readability, while preserving the original thought, feeling, gratitude, and intent.
Jam & Learn is an extension of my hobby — playing the guitar for fun, not as a profession.
As most of you know, I am a full-time marine engineer, now managing ships from ashore. But throughout my sailing years, I carried my guitar with me on every ship I sailed on.
My First Ship
I was in Kolkata — Calcutta then — staying at Port View Guest House. I am amazed that I could remember that name within a few seconds.
My batchmate Pandey was also there, waiting to join his ship, and was staying in the same guest house.
He was the one who inspired me to carry the guitar on my first ship.
I was very apprehensive. I thought my superiors may not like it, and I might probably get a good ragging for carrying a guitar on board.
But Pandey advised me to carry it quietly.
“Take it into your room,” he said, “and don’t mention it outside for at least six months. After that, it will be fine.”
So I covered the guitar in a plastic bag and cloth, carried it straight to my cabin, and kept it with me.
Of course, my father was the one who had carried the guitar all the way from Nagpur. He was posted there at the time I was joining my first ship. He brought it to Kolkata when he came to see me off.
I was joining my first SCI ship at Chennai.
Ever Since
Ever since then, I have carried my guitar on all ships.
It is not that I played every day, but I loved having it with me.
There were moments at sea when you would suddenly yearn to play a few notes of a wonderful song. And if the guitar was not there at that moment, it felt deeply disappointing.
On average, I probably strummed or played at least once a week.
Of course, once my shipmates came to know about the guitar, they would carry it all the way to parties, and we would jam on Hindi melodies of every kind.
There are so many wonderful compositions by our esteemed music directors. Some songs simply refuse to leave you.
I will write more about the associations and inspirations that kept me going until I finally met my only Guru, Shri Radha Vijayan of Mirra Fine Arts, Singapore.
Please do visit the music school’s website and see how he has created a world of music single-handedly, with soulful dedication to the guitar.
He is a wonderful human being and can inspire you even through his quiet and unassuming presence.
I have known him for more than four years, and I could write lengthy essays on each meeting we have had.
Jam & Learn is a practical example of how far inspiration can take you.
It is still just the beginning.
Thank you, Sir, for being there.
[Insert photograph here]
Caption suggestion:
Little drummer in “Papa’s studio.”
The little drummer, Vahein, jumps whenever he hears that we are going to “Papa’s studio.” That is what he calls it.
I have attached his picture with this note.
More in my next.
Until then, please hear the music even in silence.
Try it.
You can.
Have fun.
Cheers,
Srinivas