CL Das with the SaMaPa award in Patna. Picture by Jai Prakash

Patna, Nov. 27: “Der aaye durust aaye (better late than never),” was how eminent musicologist and sarod player C.L. Das described his felicitation with the prestigious Acharya Abhinavgupt Award by a Delhi-based cultural organisation.

On November 19, Delhi-based Sopori Academy of Music and Performing Arts felicitated the musician from Bihar for his lifetime contribution in the realm of art, music and art criticism.

“I am privileged. Although I got it late, the award is a great honour for me. I am very happy with the jury’s decision. I hope my work and writings are loved by the new generation music lovers,” said the 77-year-old musician.

Union culture minister Kumari Selja gave away the award to Das, at the two-day SaMaPa music conference-cum-award function at Kamani Hall in the national capital.

Das’s musical journey started as he took his talim in 1955 from Padma Vibhushan awardee Acharya Allauddin Khan in Chhattisgarh. “Apart from playing music, I also wrote extensively on music during the 50s. My first article was on the two sarod players of the century — Ustad Allauddin Khan and Ustad Hafeez Ali Khan, the father of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan. Since then, I have been a regular writer and have contributed to various newspapers and magazines,” Das said.

Recently, he wrote two books — Gagan Mein Sangeet and Raga of the Raja: Pt Ramchatur Mallick.

On his future plans, he said: “At present, I am working on one book, dedicated to the artists of Hindustani music between 1958 and 2008.”

The musician, however, did not sound optimistic about the present scenario of music in Bihar. “The love for classical music is fading in Bihar. The tastes of the people have changed here. There are very few who want to listen to sarod. Even the programmes that are organised here do not attract many people. People here leave a programme mid-way. It hurts being an artist,” he said.