geeton ka guldasta 6

KUALA LUMPUR: Most people his age would be sitting at home, enjoying life, playing with their grandchildren, or even great-grandchildren.
But 91-year-old Ajit Kumar Joardar is just not that sort.

At the age of 70, he joined a meditation group which motivated him to write poems, and over the years, these poems became lyrics for songs.

Nine of these songs were put into Joardar's first album, Geeton Ka Guldasta, which means "Bouquet of Melodies" in Hindi.

Five of the tracks are commercial songs, while the rest are traditional ones.

Yesterday, Joardar was recognised as the oldest man to compose, produce and cut an album by the Malaysia Book of Records.

Joardar worked with Suresh Rogen, a well-known Indian Malaysian composer, on the music arrangements.

The album was completed in three months and was a fruitful collaboration between the two men who found a common ground and understanding in music.

Joardar said his family -- his wife, a daughter and two grandchildren -- was his inspiration in producing 40 song compositions, of which only the nine were included in the album.

"My advice to those who are eager to venture into the world of music is to work hard and find someone to support your talent," he said at the launch of his album by Puan Sri Molina Sinha Nijhar, the wife of former MIC vice-president Tan Sri K.S. Nijhar, at the Hard Rock Cafe, yesterday.

Joardar was born on Nov 29, 1919 in Bengal, India. He came to Malaya in December 1946.

With a background in the hotel industry, he continued to work in a hotel in Cameron Highlands.

He joined the Dunlop Group and later moved to Seremban, where he finally retired as the commercial manager of H&R Johnson in 1980. Subsequently, he ran his own business till the age of 85.

So what's next for the nonagenarian?
"I'll be working on my next album if the demand is high.