WITH GREAT SADNESS SANGEET AUSTRALIA INFORMS YOU OF THE PASSING OF PANDIT ASHOK KUMAR ROY, SAROD VADAK.

Information regarding memorial services below.
INVITATION TO A SHRAADH CEREMONY FOR ASHOKJI ON 25TH FEB.
PL NOTE THE SANGEET AUSTRALIA MEHFIL ON THAT DATE WILL BE CANCELLED. SEE BELOW.

My dear Patrons,

The sad task I have today is to let you know that the beloved, dignified, artist of the highest calibre Pandit Ashok Kumar Roy, a great Sarodiya and a pioneer of and inspirational figure for Hindustani music in Australia passed away at Concord Hospital in Sydney at 7:15am on Thursday 15th February 2007 at age 70.

He is survived by his wife Mrs Shanta Roy and mourned by his whole family, in Sydney his son and daughter-in-law Sumit and Sejal Roy.

He is missed and reverred by his disciples and many students. Adrian McNeil, who studied with him according to the strict precepts of the guru-shishya parampara for 25 years is deeply sadened at the loss of his beloved guruji.

Ashokji is also mourned by all of us (a great many of us) who knew him only as a musician and performer of the highest quality, an artist with a real and rare enigmatic presence, a creative aura that enveloped him on stage and, from the first note of his alap, emanated out into the audience and transported us into something profound, exquisite and thrilling. His dignity and his embodiment of many of the subtle aesthetic sensabilities, that distinguish Hindustani music, made his performance greatly affecting and invigorating. At the height of Ashokji's powers I have never heard more beautiful music performed in Australia and indeed moments spent listening to his playing rival all the brilliant music I have heard around the world. This man came from an illustrious line of musical knowledge but it is not just skill and technique that makes an artist great - Ashokji had sensitivity and a direct connection with his art and this was palpable and unforgettable. His passing marks the end of an era and I hope that his contribution to music and to the Australian cultural milieu will be recognised and celebrated. We have been lucky to have had him for so long and to have benefited from his teaching and his creative energy.

I can say that the discovery of Ashokji's music as a young woman in Sydney with a love for India and its culture was like stumbling upon unique and priceless treasure. The experience of Ashokji as a performer will remain with me all the days of my life and I know I speak for many of you when I say we shall miss him, we honour him, we thank him, we have loved him - each of us for our different reasons. A great artist has touched his audience and left a tremendous musical legacy - this, I hope, is of supreme satisfaction to him, wherever he is.

Today Ashokji was cremated at 11:30am at The West Chapel, The Pinegrove Memorial Park Crematorium at Minchinbury. A priest performed some rituals according to Hindu tradition. Adrian McNeil was the Master of Ceremonies as requested by Ashokji's son Sumit Roy. Speakers included moving tributes from Adrian, Reis Flora and Sumathi Krishnan. The service was attended by many friends and relatives.

IF YOU WERE UNABLE TO ATTEND AND WOULD LIKE TO SHOW YOUR RESPECTS YOU CAN COME TO THE SHRAADH CEREMONY:
Mrs Shanta Roy, Sumit and Sejal Roy invite you to join them on Sunday the 25th February 2007 at 10.30 a.m. for the final rites for Ashokji, to be conducted at the following temple in Minto:

Mukti Gupteshwar Mandir.
(there are two temples.. the rites are at the bigger one).
102 EAGLEVIEW RD
MINTO.


Shraadh is a Hindu ceremony led by the son and is a time to celebrate and honour the deceased. The ceremony starts at 10:30am and will then be followed by lunch and live music to honour Ashokji.

The Sangeet Australia mehfil on the 25th with Adrian McNeil and Pandit Ramchandra Sumanji is thus cancelled. We will inform you of the next event shortly. (hold on to your ticket stubs from the 16th for your discount at the next event as advertised)

Thank you to those who attended our Friday 16th mehfil with Sugata Marjit where, apart from some beautiful music that Sugataji dedicated to Ashokji, we were able to come together, remember Ashokji and collect contributions for his widow Shanta Roy which I am sure will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support.

CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS/PARTICIPATION FOR A TRIBUTE TO ASHOKJI.
Our mehfil series for 2007 is humbly dedicated to Pandit Ashok Roy and we are now calling for any of you who wish to assist with a special event to honour his life and music. If you have photographs, footage, recordings and/or memories that you wish to share please come forward and participate in a Tribute to Ashokji which Sangeet Australia will be putting together in the coming weeks. I look forward to hearing from you. If you are able to assist with anything else please contact me on 0416 352 900. It is important that the wider community is made aware of the life of this great Artist.

Yours most sincerely,
Pavane Oliveiro
Director
Sangeet Australia:
Supporting Hindustani Music
0416 352 900