Remembering Girija Devi, the voice of Benares

With the passing of Girija Devi, the world of classical music has lost a precious voice

It was the year 2008. I learnt that Girija Devi was going to be singing at the Viceregal Lodge in Delhi University. I had just moved to Delhi, did not possess a car, and had lost the habit of travelling by auto-rickshaw. But it had been a while since I had heard Girija Devi live and, willy-nilly, found a way to attend the concert. 

The hall that can accommodate over a thousand persons was packed with young music lovers, most of them seated on the floor. I made my way through the throng and sat on the durri, in anticipation of