You can’t impose classical music on people: Ustad Amjad Ali Khan

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan likes performing in Mumbai. The sarod maestro, who resides in Delhi, is of the opinion that the culture of the finance capital is multi-faceted and multi-dimensional. “There are people from all over the country residing here as well as a lot of international communities. The audience here enjoys listening to music as varied as jazz, folk, qawwali and Indian classical,” he says.

It was years ago that he did a morning recital at the Gateway of India in Mumbai, and this Sunday, the sarod virtuoso will again be there at 6.30 am to enthrall music lovers at the iconic monument. “It’s very taxing for listeners to come in at 6.30 in the morning. I don’t like to trouble them but I’m playing morning raagas after all,” he says lightly. Over to the musician...

TRADITION VERSUS CONVENTION

The maestro believes that musicians shouldn’t follow convention blindly. 

“Raagas are classified as per the time of the day. But there is no logic to the system, that a particular raaga belongs to a certain time of the day or night. The biggest example is Raag Darbari and Raag Jaunpuri. They have the same musical notes, only their application is different. That’s why Darbari is a late-night raaga, while Jaunpuri is played in the morning. What is the logic behind this?” he asks. Pointing out the difference between convention and tradition, he says, “Singing a particular raaga at a particular time of the day is convention, not tradition. We tend to follow convention, whether it’s religion or classical music. Convention is a very unhealthy word, while tradition allows innovation. My father Hafiz Ali Khan, who was also my guru, often told me, ‘We did what we thought was correct. Now, you do what you think is correct’.”

LET THERE BE MUSIC!

Unlike many Indian classical musicians, who want the younger generation to listen to classical music more, Khan has a more open-minded approach. “You can’t impose classical music on people. I think people should listen to all kinds of music. School children should not only know who Ustad Amjad Ali Khan or Pandit Bhimsen Joshi is. They should also know who Beethoven was, or Mozart or Bach was. Whether it’s European, folk or fusion, all kinds of music should be heard. There should be more music festivals. Our country doesn’t have a concert hall of international standards and because of that, we are unable to call great symphony orchestras who are popular internationally. We need that.”

PROUD PAPA

Khan’s sons Amaan and Ayaan too have followed in their father’s footsteps and made a name for themselves in the world of music. “I’m very happy and grateful to God that Amaan and Ayaan have been accepted as artistes, and not just because they are my children. They are very kind, compassionate human beings and they are committed and dedicated to Indian classical music,” says the proud dad.