A fortnight ago, I was delighted to have an invite to a Hariharan Nite, on the lawns of the Satellite Towers (a magnificent, international class housing society comprising luxurious flats) in the backyards of Koregaon Park. Being an ardent Hariharan fan, I was looking forward to drown in his mesmerising voice, under the starlit sky. The host, ace horse owner, Ravi Prakash, besides laying the red carpet for his guests, had also been kind enough to make the baithak arrangement, for music lovers.

Hariharan, after mingling with the guests, started on a beautiful note. Then what happened? The area where the baithaks were kept, continued to be unoccupied, save for a few. Most of the invitees, dressed in their silks and diamonds, preferred to drown in the drinks and eats, instead of the music. Steadily, Hariharan's golden, magnificent voice was relegated to background music. As if, an audio cassette had been switched on and you may hear the music emanating from it, not necessarily listen to its sweetness. Imagine, such disregard for a legendary artist!

But this is not the first time. A couple of years ago, when another ghazal maestro, Mehdi Hassan had performed at a renowned hotel, he was aghast at the brazen attitude of the audience who were too busy drinking, to hear him sing and the Pakistani music supremo had shown his ire openly.

A few weeks back, a Jagjit Singh gazhal nite was held at a leading five star hotel, but the organisers made a rule that the bar would be open half an hour before the show and then later, along with dinner. That was really a good move. Soon, winter will arrive, bringing along with it, the prestigious Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Mahotsav. And if you witness, the concentration and affection with which the 20,000 strong audience listens, in rapt attention, to Hindustani classical stalwarts, you will know why, the disrespect shown to greats like Hariharan and Hasan, hurts. Really hurts.