The sound of 57-year-old Shujaat Khan’s sitar will lead itself to the strokes of 10-year-old Aarav Verma’s canvas. In a 90-minute performance titled Strings Inspire Strokes, both will synthesise their individual genres into an uniting orbit upholding the diversity and versatility of the arts.
This is the first time Aarav is attempting something like this. He has been listening to classical music since he was born, because his father, Yogesh Verma, wanted his child’s ears to become attuned to the rich tradition of Indian classical music. Ustaad Shujaat Khan’s music was one of the artistes he routinely played at home and in the car, and that’s how little Aarav developed a liking for the genre. “It was my father who suggested that I try painting to the notes of music, and I was willing to give it a try,” says Aarav who studies at Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon.
As Shujaat will pluck the strings of sitar, the child will begin drawing based on the emotion the music evokes. It is going to be an innocent and spontaneous rendition of what the child perceives through the musical performance.
Aarav started painting at the age of three, and since then has enjoyed painting human faces in all possible colour. Black is his favourite and it features in most of his works. Apart from art, he is very serious about discovering aliens or spotting an UFO. “I love learning new magic tricks too,” he smiles. Aliens and dinosaurs fascinate him to the extent of him continuously wanting to read and watch programmes on them.
That the painting is set to classical music is something that has made Shujaat very happy. “I’ll play ragas that bring out the seven colours of a rainbow,” he says. It’s now time to watch how their fingers lend their individuality to delve into deeper depths of art to find meaningful expression. Strings Inspire Strokes: October 1, at 7 pm, Sri Sathya Sai International Center, Lodhi Road.