Her father’s daughter

Children of famous parents often have to bear the cross of their parents’ fame. And they usually wilt even before they can find their feet. But not so for Pandit Jasraj’s daughter, Durga Jasraj (remember the pretty, sweet-voiced co-anchor of Antakshri show on Zee TV). She’s by no means intimidated by her father’s almost legendary fame. And she finds all kinds of comparisons odious and uncalled for.

The father and daughter share a close bond. It’s as if there’s a perfect harmony between the two. There’s hardly any place for a jarring note. She’s almost reverential about him and he’s at his affectionate best when it comes to her.

Durga says her father is like a benign tree. He has been sheltering her from the hot blazes. His protective presence and guidance has helped her develop her potential to their fullest, she says, with a touch of admiration.

"My father has offered me his unstinted support. I feel privileged to be his daughter. He’s my guru as well. And there’s no dichotomy in these two roles," says Durga Jasraj.

Pandit Jasraj, on his part, feels she’s more than just his daughter. She’s also the granddaughter of filmmaker V. Shantaram! In fact, she’s an independent artiste in her own right, he says.

Not willing to buy the argument that most musicians promote their children irrespective of the latter’s talent, he says that Durga has a penchant for music right from her childhood. "Even if she had not been my daughter, she would have gone places," he avers.

Durga’s efforts to "reach out" to music lovers through her Indian Music Academy, and the classical music shows she makes for television are a proof enough of her talent!

Perhaps, her close association with her father has given her strong moorings in traditional Indian values that focus on the essential harmony between human beings. Durga has neither any time nor inclination for the ‘men versus women’ talk.

"I would say women are more sensitive. But then, so are some men. Anyway, strident feminism is not my cup of tea," she says as a matter of fact.

— M.Z.

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