Long before India's space missions made history, a legendary Indian singer's voice became one of the first sounds sent into deep space by NASA, and it still echoes in the interstellar void. This is the story of Kesarbai Kerkar, a Hindustani classical singer whose rendition of 'Jaat Kahan Ho' in Raag Bhairavi was included in NASA's Voyager 1 mission, making India one of the 27 countries represented in space. But what makes this story truly fascinating is not just the fact that her voice traveled across the solar system, but also the journey of a woman who dedicated her life to music, overcoming numerous challenges and leaving an indelible mark on the world of Indian classical music.
Kesarbai Kerkar was born in Keri, a small Goan village, in 1892. Coming from a traditional family where music was the main source of livelihood, she began studying and learning the art at a very young age. Her family recognized her unique talent and sent her to Ramkrishna Bua Vaze for her first lessons in classical music. She then trained under the sitar maestro Ustad Barkatullah Khan, but her journey was not without challenges. When she sang raga Miya ki Malhar, the famous patrons and connoisseurs, Seth Vithaldas Dwarkadas, were so dissatisfied with her performance that he publicly rebuked her.
This incident deeply hurt Kesarbai, and she decided to pursue her career in music with the mentorship of Ustad Alladiya Khan. Persuading him was not an easy task, but with the assistance of the Dwarkadas, she managed to convince him. Alladiya Khan was a meticulous artist who jealously guarded his musical wealth, and very few outside his family circle succeeded in being accepted as his disciples. Kesarbai was one of the two "outsiders" who measured up to his exacting standards, and he took her everywhere, making her sing with him in all his concerts.
Kesarbai was a phenomenal vocalist with a voice manifesting a substantial three-octave range. This unique ability allowed her to transcend from the highest pitch to the depth of the lower notes, a feat seldom achieved by female vocalists. Her performances were confrontational, and she exhibited an aversion to photographs and banal questions from journalists. During the peak of her career in the 1940s and 1950s, Kesarbai refused to record her music for posterity, choosing instead to immerse herself in live performances and preserve the purity of classical music.
One of the highest peaks of Kesarbai's career came in 1977 when NASA was preparing to send Voyager 1 into space. Onboard the spacecraft was a gold-plated copper disc containing a selection of musical compositions, including her rendition of 'Jaat Kahan Ho' in Raag Bhairavi. Her voice, along with that of other musical legends like Beethoven and Mozart, traveled across the solar system, making India one of the 27 countries represented in space. This was a remarkable achievement, and it highlighted the global reach and impact of Indian classical music.
Kesarbai Kerkar's story is a testament to the power of dedication and perseverance. She overcame numerous challenges and left an indelible mark on the world of Indian classical music. Her voice, which still echoes in the interstellar, is a reminder of the beauty and richness of Indian culture and heritage. It is a story that inspires us to pursue our passions with unwavering dedication and to appreciate the global reach of our cultural traditions.
