As part of our work in the field of journalism, we sometimes come across people who inspire us. The Rajan family of Bengaluru is one such example. I met the family first 11 years ago, back in 2005, to shoot a documentary with them. The family braved enormous odds - with two children who had special needs. Roshan and Ritvik were born blind, and Ritvik was also autistic. Still, the sound of music has always filled the Rajan family home. The boys' mother, Snehlatha, taught them music - and that gave them all hope and life. It highlighted their courage and never-say-die attitude.
Over the years, Snehlatha would keep it touch and let me know about what her talented sons were up to. They sang frequently on television and had also begun teaching music to others.
Last year, the phone call came as a shock. Snehlatha told me that Roshan had died, at the age of 36. The family was devastated by the loss - but their characteristic courage shone through. I got the news that Ritvik has been hired to teach music at one of the Bengaluru branches of the Delhi Public School. And the latest call was more good news - he had been chosen to receive this year's Kempe Gowda award in the music category by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike.
Ritvik spoke to NDTV after receiving his award. "I am excited to receive the award, and I think because of this blessings of music, of my parents, my gurus, my brother, I got this award today," he said. "I am thankful to the government of Karnataka for bestowing the support and for bestowing this award... Work hard and God will take you where you want to go."
The Mayor of Bengaluru, B N Manjunatha Reddy, said, "We did not select any one on the basis of their physical ability but on the basis of their merit. So, there are awardees who are physically challenged among the winners."
The joy of appreciation is always welcome, more so for this family after the recent loss of Roshan. The family has a music room in their home which is covered with awards and photographs of the two sons. And Roshan loved his younger brother and was inspired by him.
He had told us, "He means more to me than anything else. I can't categorise him. He is more than a brother; more than a friend. I waited for 10 long years to have a companion. And finally I got one; it is my duty and my responsibility to take good care of him. I think I am doing it".
Ritvik, he said, is a "genius". "He started singing from the age of six months and he is my first guru. He teaches me. He guides me through my music and he helps me out. So I hope to see him at a higher position than mine. He is all into music, if you ask him to sing for 24 hours or two days, he will do it. I have other diversions, like a computer course and my academics but this guy is not at all diverted. He is a true follower of music," he had said.
Snehlatha has spoken to Roshan about his younger brother when it was realised that he was also born blind. "You have gone through that, you are his elder brother, you have to be a guide to him. Whatever the world says, he is your brother. Whatever he is, you have to accept it. So whatever you have gone through, whatever knowledge you have, you share it with him. So you have to take him along with him. You can't have any frustration or any depression and get withdrawn. Both of you hold hands and walk together," she had said.
And the boys had brought them brought joy. "Our house is full of music and that makes a lot of difference," their father, Rajan, had said. "We have music round the clock. They have been responsible for teaching us about life. They have brought us so much joy. Today we are more known by them, by their achievements than by what we are."
Roshan would have been so proud of Ritvik. Snehlatha, who has worked long and hard with her children gives the credit to the Kempe Gowda award to Ritvik himself.
"For a person like Ritvik to have got this award is not anything very easy," she said. "It's sheer hard work and commitment, for which he has reached where he has. Of course, he has a long way to go. BuI think he is at the first rung of the ladder and I would like to say I miss his elder brother. Maybe his blessings have brought Ritvik here. Roshan's presence is felt within us always and his music is immortal. Ritvik and I are constantly talking to him as if he is with us. Both of them used to be holding my hands - one left and the other right."
There may be only one son holding on to Snehlatha's hand now - but the family spirit keeps them whole, keeps them active, keeps them achieving.
Snehlatha had shared with us some of her philosophy of life. "If you keep yourself active and occupied, there will be no room for any displeasure or any grumbling or complaints. For any problem there are many solutions. One should go out and find the solution to the problems. I don't think there is any problem which is insurmountable."
(Maya Sharma is NDTV's Resident Editor in Bengaluru)Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.