The 80-year-old Banaras-born maestro was an apt performer at Banaras Utsav 2003, having remarked at a soiree in the holy city in June, 'Itni ayu mein bhi is taakat se wahi tabla baja sakta hai jisne bachpan mein Banaras ka doodh malai khaya ho (Only someone who has been drunk the milk and butter of Banaras can play the tabla with this zest at this age).'