Manoj Kedia at a programme. Telegraph picture

Ranchi, March 29: After hearing the duo perform three years ago, Delhi-based critic Prakash Wadhera had said the inimitable jugalbandi of Ali Akbar Khan and Ravi Shankar had come alive.

But Mormukut and Manoj Kedia of Giridih, classical artistes who have been performing for the past 13 years, are yet to receive any recognition from the state government.

The duo has been on the AIR since long and has performed in Jaipur, Varanasi, Delhi, Allahabad and more recently in Kolkata.

The gifted torch-bearers of the Senia Maihar Gharana, the Kedia brothers underwent training under the aegis of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Acharya Raja Ram Shukla and their father, Pandit Shambhu Dayal Kedia, who is a nationally-acclaimed tabla player.

On having missed out on many state awards, all the duo says is that people lack patience and an affinity towards their art.

“Classical music demands time — whether you are listening or learning. It is the music of the soul that gives peace and not instant happiness,” explains sarod player Manoj.

The Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) of the Government of India sends artistes abroad to perform every year. “But somehow they miss out on our names,” quips in Manoj. “With all humility, I would like to add that many even tend to compare us with great maestros. But sadly, we haven’t received any help from the state,” he says.

Programme co-ordinator of AIR, Ranchi, K.C. Sinha calls them one of the finest performers. “Being an A-class artiste on AIR is no joke. It is disheartening when artistes, much junior to them, get nominated for coveted awards,” says Singh.

In a time when India is talking about losing its cultural heritage, it is high time the government wakes up to giving artistes their due.