‘Why I wrote the three words/phrases ‘Shiksha’, ‘Deeksha’ and ‘Pareeksha’ at the top of my website?’ The question, that prompted me to write this article to interprete my realization about these three words.

At the time of receiving training on Indian Classical Music from my father and preceptor, Maestro Rabin Ghosh, explained me three words, ‘Shiksha’, ‘Deeksha’ and ‘Pareeksha’, which he received from his preceptor, Ustad Baba Alauddin Khan Sahib. I may have the opportunity to translate these as Education, Initiation and Examination.

In the phrase ‘Shiksha’, a disciple should observe the three basic aspects.

1. Seamlessly following the Guru (preceptor).
2. Remembering the instructions, received from Guru.
3. Getting himself engulfed into perfect practicing.

Here the disciple develops techniques, upgrades skill and expands self knowledge both in practice and theory. Infinite Endeavour and zeal put together in practice is the sole avenue to gain confidence and proceed further. After completion of ‘Shiksha’ or receiving knowledge on the subject, the disciple enters into the next phase of this chronology.

The next phrase ‘Deeksha’ or the Initiation, uplifts the disciple’s mind and knowledge to a certain extent where the disciple not only keeps himself busy into the practice ‘technically’, but also inprospection for more detail research. Thinking, Involvement and Research all these are integrated in a level which is beyond meta-physical state, where the person surrenders himself for the unattenuated vibration. Here grows two more aspects, one of those is manifestation of ‘an endless movement’, a ‘movement’ which is showing new concepts but holding the respect for the previous. Another is ‘Learning Artistry’, which is also a method of performing music.

‘Pareeksha’ or ‘Examination’ is the final phase of the cycle. It is a moment for the disciple to be an ‘Artist’, spreading the motif to the contemporary music lovers/artist and beyond.