[Being in the US], I was sleeping when I got a call informing me that Pandit ji is no more. I feel numb. I recently dreamt of him attending one of my concerts. I can't believe this is happening, again. My father passed away when I was 13. I endured the same kind of sorrow, then.

I am where I am, because of Pandit ji. He took me under his wing and gave me space to show my skills. As a guru, he was unparalleled. Music is abstract; you can't point out why a syllabus is placed in a certain section. Each note in a raga is unique, and I've been able to learn it all because of him.