MUMBAI: The relationship, between a student and his master, is universal and is celebrated with a lot of festoon in India and its neighbouring country Nepal, where it is also a national holiday. In India, we are taught that the guru or the teacher is next to God. Music is that one stream of art, where the bond, between a guru and shishya, is considered to be the most important. The etymology of the word ‘Guru’ is the one who dispels ignorance.

There is not a single saint in India, who has not expressed his thoughts about Guru and each of their verses have been set to some melodious tunes. From Sant Kabir to Sant Dnyaneshwar, Sant Purandardas and the ten Gurus of Sikhism, every territory of India has a voice that expressed their thoughts and feelings about these revered personalities.

Across the music fraternity, especially classical music, this day is nothing less than Diwali. The traditional way of teaching involved living with the guru and learning the art, finer nuances and technique of music, along with the way of living. The ways of expressing might have changed but the tradition is well preserved even today. Over the month, tribute concerts for gurus are held, where students perform their learnings as well as showcase their practice, done over the years.

Besides, it's just not the Guru, from whom they have officially learnt, but they are also inspired by the legends that occurred in the history of Indian music.

Singers like Sonu Nigam, who has been a student of Padmavibhushan Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, has always expressed his feelings for his mentor, time and again. At the same time, he has expressed how legend Mohammad Rafi has tremendously influenced his music.

And this is how Indians have for years together celebrated this beautiful bond that actually is life defining.

https://t.co/S9V9S2sgSi

— Zakir Hussain (@ZakirHtabla) July 27, 2018

The enlightened Guru is no other than Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver, and Shiva the destroyer. Guru is truly the Almighty Brahaman; our salutations to Him, the Divine Spiritual Master. #gurupurnima #blessing #gurupurnima2018 pic.twitter.com/34LCTEiVyz

— Amjad Ali Khan (@AAKSarod) July 26, 2018