Devotee:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam, Pranam Baba, Pranam.
Devotee:
Gurudev, today almost the whole of Shantikunj is in mourning. Bad news has arrived. I don't want to say it myself; if you could please tell us what happened.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes. Dulal Mondal used to sing here. He was completely devoted to music. Suddenly, at 4:00 AM today, he had a heart attack. It didn't give him any time. He passed away instantly. At 4:00 AM.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This is an irreparable, unimaginable loss for us. He used to sing for the Mother and perform Harinam Sankirtan every single day. That has now come to an end. For me, it was like a bolt from the blue—a sudden lightning strike. I woke up this morning and was completely shocked to hear the news.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
He wasn't very old—maybe 50 to 55, or between 55 and 60. He had an incident once before, but the doctor saved him then. He was warned not to take risks, but performers sometimes neglect themselves.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This is the terrible result. As far as I know, people from Bankura, Purulia, Durgapur, and Asansol used to come to hear him or invite him to sing. He was also an enlisted singer for the government.
Devotee:
He was invited to almost every government show. He used to go and sing.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
He sang here every day. It's a... I am just stunned. I couldn't imagine waking up to such news. I asked the person who told me, "Why did you give me this news?" He said, "What else could I do? I went and saw him in the temple room."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
We arranged a large flower garland from Shantikunj. It was placed on his body when it arrived. I still can't process that Dulal Mondal is gone. It's an irreparable loss, especially for Shantikunj.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I've known him for 35 years. Singing, music—we shared everything. He used to call me "Dada" (elder brother). I remember a song he used to sing: "Hari, the day is over, evening has come, take me across... You are the Hari of the shore, the one with the flute, that's why I call to you..."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Those who came after me left before me. I am still here. This is very pathetic. His friend Kalu... Dulal and Kalu were very close friends.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Dulal stopped singing for the Mother. Kalu doesn't come either; he stopped his service here. And now I get this news. It is truly pathetic. I looked at them like my own children. He always called me "Dada" and listened to whatever I said.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Unfortunately, I have to give this news to everyone. Dulal Mondal is no more; he has journeyed to the eternal world.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
He sang so many songs and did so much Harinam Sankirtan. I don't think he suffered much. He passed away instantly. That is God's blessing—that he didn't have to suffer through hospitals or spend a lot of money. He went instantly.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
That is God's infinite mercy. He sang for God and performed Sankirtan. We loved him with all our hearts for his singing.
Devotee:
And every year during our annual program, he would organize everything—bring his team, take care of their food and lodging—he handled it all.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
We provided the funds, but he did all the management. That's also gone now. God took it away. I don't know if it will be the same again.
Devotee:
When he sang at the temple, it was so beautiful that even people passing by, or those on their way to the cremation grounds, would stop and dance. A crowd would always gather.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I have no words. I've known them for over 30 years. I never expected this. At least he didn't have to suffer.
Devotee:
He was one of your earliest associates.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes. First, there was Karno. Karno passed away. Now I'm experiencing the pain of this second death. It doesn't feel good. I want people to know.
Devotee:
Many people come and ask about him—why he doesn't sing anymore or where he is.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
People from far away used to come for his songs. It's an unimaginable loss for Shantikunj and his family. He was an only son. His mother is still alive. That's the most heart-wrenching part. I don't know if she has been told yet. He was a good man, always cheerful.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I pray for his soul's peace. I ask God, I ask Sri Madhav, "You heard his songs and his Harinam for so many years. Please take him to your feet. Give him a place at your feet."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
My heart has been heavy since morning. We needed to share this so the people who ask about him know the truth.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
He used to call me "Dada." Recently, he asked me for two shirts. In 35 years, he never asked for anything like that. I gave them to him just a few days ago. He was always very neat and well-presented.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There's nothing more to say. We wanted to inform everyone from Shantikunj that Dulal Mondal has left this world. It's beyond anyone's control; it's God's plan.
Devotee:
God perhaps wanted something else for him. We felt it was necessary to give this news because we've lost someone very close to us. Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam, Baba, Pranam.