(Maya Sharma is NDTV's Resident Editor in Bengaluru)
Over the years as a television journalist, I have been asked several times which stories have left most impact on me. There have been big news stories - the devastating Tsunami, the kidnaps and murders committed by Veerappan, violent clashes over the river Cauvery, air crashes, the turmoil of elections, floods and droughts. But as any reporter would know, it is often the individual stories of courage in face of adversity; demonstrations of the strength of the human spirit that stay with you.
And so I will always remember the story of a Bengaluru family - the Rajans. I will always remember the sound of music that filled their home and their lives. One of those family members is gone now, the eldest son, Roshan. But are people really gone when the sound of their voice can still be heard?
Rajan is still in awe of the strength shown by his wife. He said, "My world was shattered. I really don't remember. Probably it's not easy to remember. You push certain things back in your memory because you don't want to take it back. It was a very tough time. I have a very hazy memory of that period. I knew that she was going through many things. I was just present physically, but I think mentally I was away, not knowing how to cope with the circumstance."
But Roshan felt lonely at home - and in 1989, his younger brother, Ritwik was born. Roshan shared with us his memories of the arrival of his little brother. "I do remember that day as for the first ten years of my life I was longing for a companion. After ten years, Ritwik was born, and that was a Sunday, July 2nd, 1989. I got the news at 12 o'clock in the afternoon. I was too small to digest the fact that I got a companion. I went running to the hospital to see him and he was sleeping. I asked my grandmother - I judged people by their sounds so I asked why is he not crying or not making any noise. Immediately after I asked that question he started crying."
Snehlatha said, "I told the doctor if there is any problem you tell me openly. Don't try to put a cover to it. I am ready to face anything. If he is blind, you tell me he is blind, I am ready to go through the mill again."
Roshan loved his brother very deeply. He had told us, "He is more than anything to me. I can't categorise him. 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."
In a bid to make her sons financially independent, Snehlatha did what she could to help them earn a living from their talent. The music room in their house is filled with trophies and awards, citations and photographs with singing legends. Both Roshan and Ritwik have taught music to others.
When we met them for the documentary, Rajan told us, "Our house is all the time full of music and that makes a lot of difference. 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."
Snehlatha said, "They have only brought joy. The joy we get when we see them performing and others applauding covers up all our sorrows. So 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."
When we filmed with Roshan, he had finished a post-graduate degree in English literature and had got a job in training call centre executives in an American accent, a profitable way of using one of his biggest gifts - his voice.
But music was always his big passion and dream. "My ambition is to become a playback singer, to become something big in the music industry. You have great examples like Stevie Wonder, Ravindra Jain so maybe I will be also one of them. Whether I will be greater than them, I do not know."
Roshan took ill and died in March this year. Younger brother Ritwik continues to sing. And somehow, in the music room the two brothers shared, you can still feel Roshan.
And his voice, which is as beautiful as ever.
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