Deewana banana hai to diwana bana de... (make me insane if you please...) with the soulful strains of this gazal sung by Akhtaribai Faizabadi, now renowned as Begum Akhtar, began Pandit Jasraj's musical journey.
He was six then and spellbound. All he knew at the time was that he wanted to sing. Perhaps unknown to himself then, thus began his quest for the divine... in music...in the world around him...and within himself.
Today, Pandit Jasraj's relentless pursuit, his passionate strife and his single-minded devotion to music have made him what he is...
...The bright sun of Indian music...the glorious Sangeet Martand.
Legend has it that Tansen lit lamps with his rendition of the Raga Deepak and brought the rains cascading down from the heavens with the Megh Malhar. But many an evolved Indian musician even today will vouch for this mystical power of Indian music. Pandit Jasraj has confounded his audiences many a time with the extraordinary power of his music. There have been occasions when his music exerted an incredible effect on his environment. It is not an exaggeration when Panditji himself claims that very often he is caught unawares as he finds himself at a point of Samadhi whilst singing. It is only when he becomes conscious of the state that the divine link gets severed. And he can then, merely relate it as an extraordinary experience to others.
In honor of the glory of this unparalleled living legend, awards and titles have not only been created and bestowed upon him but have also been instituted in his name, thus these awards gaining more in prestige and value on account of being associated with his name. Music needs no introduction, neither does Pandit Jasraj.
