My first Encounter with Guru Nitya Chaitanya Yati

It must have been around 1993-95. I used to go to Swami Bodhi Tirtha at the Edappally Gurukulam to learn Sanskrit, along with my friends Rajeev, Rajesh, and Umesh. Once, Swami said, 'Guru Nitya Chaitanya Yati' is coming. Manu, you should come with your violin.' I was thrilled. I was finally going to meet the Guru I had only read about in books!

As I waited, a black Ambassador car arrived, and the Guru and his disciples got out. He was a bulky looking grandfather figure, holding a pillow. After a short rest, Swami Bodhi introduced me to him. 'This is Manu. He plays the violin very well,' he said. Then Guru asked me to play. I played 'Bandu Reethi Kolu,' a Thyagaraja kriti in the Hamsanadam raga. Guru listened to it with his eyes closed, lost in meditation. I felt his meditative state transfer into my music. After I finished playing, he spoke about the spiritual aspects of music. It opened up a new dimension in music for me.

That evening, there was a discourse by Guru at the Usha-Prem Nath residence. Guru asked me to accompany. I was overjoyed. I got into the car with him. I was so engrossed in the magic of his gentle voice and the presence of his personality that I forgot everything.

When I got home, my mother asked me why I hadn't gone to Rajeev's concert. I had committed to play the violin for his concert at the Chendankulangara Temple. I had completely forgotten about it after I met Guru Nithya. I immediately took my bicycle and rushed to the temple. But the concert had been canceled due to the absence of the violin accompaniment, and everyone was returning. I felt so embarrassed.

Another incident happened in 2003, I think. There was a concert at the Idappally Gayatri Kalyana Mandapam. Sreevalsan J. Menon was singing. I had just gotten my violin bow back after getting it repaired. Everyone was seated on stage, and the audience had gathered. It was raining. It was time for the concert to start. When I opened my violin case, the bow was missing. I was stunned for a moment. I had once played a concert on a violin with broken strings because I didn't have a spare. But I couldn't play without a bow. I told everyone what had happened. Feeling embarrassed, I ran home in the rain and brought the bow. Everyone had been waiting.