Thaindian News

October 20, 2010 (Sampurn Wire):  Khan Sahib, 65 years of a life well-lived. How do you look back on the years that have rolled by?

I am very grateful to God that people have accepted me at every age and stage of my life with whatever I had to offer with love and encouragement.

What would you say have been the most significant happenings in remarkable existence?

I think the birth of  my sons Amaan and Ayaan in my life has been the most beautiful moment and that they have been accepted by the world. They have carried forward the musical torch of my family along with my disciples.

You are regarded as one of the handsomest men in our country. How have you dealt with the constant female attention? How has your wife dealt with it?

All the attention and adulation towards me is through my music and because of music. My wife being an artist herself handled it with utmost grace.

Both your sons are stars in their own right. Are you content with their progress as human beings and artistes?

I am well aware that even Amaan and Ayaan are not completely satisfied with their work as there is always scope of improvement in any creative field. However, I am very grateful to God that they are on the right track.  They receive  blessings and good wishes all over the world. I am also very to see them become the compassionate human beings that they are.

You have patented the Sarod and taken it to an international level almost single-handedly. Do you regret the absence of other equally distinguished players of the Sarod?

I do miss all the great fellow musicians who partnered in my journey to make Sarod popular in the world. I miss their absence in every great music festival in India which also includes my father, Ustad Haafiz Ali Khan. .

Classical Indian music is today at a crossroads. What do you think of its future? Do you think classical maestros in our country are given their due?

All over the world and India included, people have great reverence and love for Indian classical music. It is clearly going through a tough phase but I’d like to believe its temporary. We must also keep in mind that we are facing a cultural aggression especially due to television channels and many other mediums which have shaken India’s flavour of tehzeeb,Tameez, Sharam aur layhaaz. An artist who is loved by the nation is getting their due, the rest is in hands of God. The struggle exists everywhere!

Hindi film music has always been the eclipsing factor for classical music. How far do you approve of  popular  Indian musical styles specially film music?

Historically, every Indian grew up listening to film songs; in fact it’s always been a very integral part of every Indian’s life. However Bollywood culture was never the face of India as there as so many other aspects that country has to offer. The evolution of film music has been very phenomenal. Some great works are happening now.

What do you think of popular film singers composers and lyricists of today as compared with earlier generations?

Fortunately, there are lots of talented music directors, lyricist and  singers even today. They are working very hard and it’s amazing to hear some of them. Every generation finds its role models.

Having conquered so many goals in so many decades and continents do you have any unfulfilled dreams?

I along with my sons have been on a journey to make Sarod as popular as the guitar or the violin in the world. Lots more work has to be done. It’s a long journey. Presently, I am enjoying my role as a composer composing concertos and doing collaborations. Something I stayed away from in the earlier part of my career!

Your family epitomizes the spirit of national integration. How  far do you think the country, its policies and  its religion-cultural and political attitudes echo the spirit of harmony  represented by  your family?

India being such a huge country with so many diversities has the most unique flavour. It’s sad that many mishaps happen even today. As a family, we believe in the religion of love, music and humanity.

What  do you feel about  the recognition, specially the national awards, given to stalwarts of the cultural realm such as you?

Though, the love of people matters the most, any award is encouraging to an individual as an acknowledgment of his work. I am very happy to see that a sportsman is given awards while they are young; which is the right age and right time. Unfortunately in the creative field you have to become eighty years old to get any award! I feel the youth in all fields must be encouraged.

Finally, Khan Sahib, the one component of  the Indian reality that you would like to change?

I think we need to be a lot more progressive as a nation. We must have Courage of conviction and not care about ‘log kya kahaingay’. As Tagore writes in his song ‘Ekla Cholo Ray.’

– Subhash K Jha / Sampurn Wire