When we enjoy music, few consider the dedication required to build a career in it. The struggles, motivation, and relentless effort needed to bring musical dreams to life remain hidden from most audiences. Musician, actor, and producer Durga Jasraj, currently in Hyderabad for the 53rd Pt. Motiram-Pt. Maniram Sangeet Samaroha, has lived this journey completely.
From Frustration to Music Production
Durga Jasraj has dedicated over two decades to bringing Indian music to audiences worldwide. She has performed alongside her legendary father Pandit Jasraj, co-hosted the iconic music game show Antakshari, and produced groundbreaking initiatives like Jalsa that reached millions across India. Surprisingly, her move into music production began not with ambition but with pure frustration.
"I was 14-15 years old, sometime in the 80s," Durga recalls. "I watched an Indian Classical Music National Programme on Doordarshan, and the editing was so poor it felt like the program ended abruptly." She immediately told her father, "Bapuji, I dislike how they present music. They ruin it." Rather than dismissing her complaint, Pandit Jasraj offered transformative advice: "If you don't like it, don't complain. Do something. Take steps toward what you believe should be done." That conversation became the turning point in her career.
Hyderabad: The Eternal Second Home
The connection between the Jasraj family and Hyderabad runs deep and emotional. MS Subbulakshmi herself hailed Pandit Jasraj as the 'Son of Hyderabad,' a title reflecting his lifelong bond with the city. This connection began in childhood when the family lived there, and his father Pandit Motiram's samadhi became a sacred pilgrimage site for him.
In 1972, Pandit Jasraj established the annual sangeet samaroha as a tribute to his father and elder brother, Pandit Maniram. The week-long classical music festival continues to honor their legacy, running from November 24 to 30 this year.
"Hyderabad is my second home," Durga explains emotionally. "I may have grown up in Mumbai, but we always returned because my father always came back. His childhood memories, his sense of identity, everything lived here." Every visit included paying respects at her grandfather's samadhi. When Pandit Jasraj passed away in 2020, though his last rites were performed in Mumbai, the family brought his ashes to Hyderabad. "It was his final homecoming," she shares.
Unexpected Television Stardom
Durga's career took an unexpected turn in the 1990s when Zee TV launched in India. "I initially approached them to produce a classical music show, but they dismissed the idea," she remembers. Surprisingly, they later offered her the co-hosting role for Antakshari alongside Annu Kapoor.
Though completely unplanned, she accepted the opportunity, thinking visibility might help her musical mission. "At that time, people only knew me as filmmaker V Shantaram's granddaughter and Pandit Jasraj's daughter." The spontaneous chemistry between her and Kapoor, working without scripts, made the show a massive hit and turned Durga into a household name. Her leading role in the television series Chandrakanta further elevated her public profile.
Gen Z and Millennials Embrace Classical Music
With years of television and production experience, Durga possesses unique insights into how younger audiences engage with Indian music today. Contrary to popular belief, she finds Gen Z and Millennials more open-minded than previous generations.
"Younger audiences listen to everything," she observes. "Our company's YouTube channel has over 6.5 lakh followers without spending any money on promotion." The statistics reveal a surprising trend: every month, they receive 10 to 12 lakh views, with 74 to 78% of viewers under age 35. This data shatters the myth that young people don't appreciate classical music.
"They engage with classical music enthusiastically," Durga emphasizes. "The only difference is you must present it in the format they consume other content."
Lessons from a Legendary Father
Durga's commitment to excellence stems from observing her father's unwavering dedication to his art. Having accompanied him on stage for years, she witnessed firsthand the discipline that defined his legendary career.
"For him, excellence was non-negotiable," she states. "He believed true excellence emerges only when mind, body, and soul align perfectly." This philosophy contrasted sharply with what she observes today. "Nowadays, people blame everything - late cars, technical issues, throat problems. But for him, no excuses existed."
She shares astonishing examples of his dedication: "I've heard him sing with a paralyzed vocal cord, and the audience never noticed. He never mentioned it. He performed live during chemotherapy and radiation treatments. That was his level of commitment."
Reflecting on her multifaceted career, Durga concludes: "I've worn many hats as musician, actor, and host, but my true calling emerged as creating platforms that present music the way it deserves to be seen." Through her work, she continues the legacy while adapting it for new generations, ensuring classical music's eternal relevance in contemporary India.
