HYDERABAD: Playing host to various musical events Hyderabad this winter saw another magical evening on December 13. As part of International Sufi Music festival named Jashan-e-Khusrau in remembrance of 13th century poet Amir Khusrau organised by All India Markazi Majlis-E-Chistia (AIMMC) president Muzaffar Ali Soofi at Chowmahalla Palace. Ustad Mazhar Ali Khan and Ustad Jawaad Ali Khan presented Sufiyana kalaam Raag Bhagyashree along with compositions of Khusrau. Based at Delhi they both have represented India through ICCR in various countries. It was the second day of the festival beautifully named Rang-e-Khusrau. Through their father late Ustad Karamat Ali Khan who was the elder son of late Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. They are experts in Chamukhia style of Kasur Patiala Gharana. Both the artists have founded Ustad Ghulam Ali Khan music. They have recently released an audio-tape named ‘Yaad-E-Sabrang’ comprising lyricla thumris and dadras as a special dedication to their grandfather Ustad bade Ghulam Ali Khan.
Response of your music abroad...
People abroad are innumerable who would love to listen and to learn classical music. Sometimes we come across a lot of disciples who are all in for the music. The students learn very sincerely and with their heart. We were searching on internet and came across an American who plays daf (tambourine). No matter what you do if you don’t put your heart into it you can’t do it.
How do you see classical music moving in an era of Rock of Pop?
There have always been people with different penchants for different genres of music. These times are no different. For example Coke Studio is becoming very popular with youngsters on both sides of the border. What do they sing? It’s nothing but classical music packaged in new ways. We pray that the shauq of our youngsters increases with each passing day with song compositions that are based on classical notes.
How do you see the future of Sufi music?
Sufi music is very old. For example this festival is in the remembrance of Hazrat Amir Khusrau and our compositions is of bandish based on him. We wanted to present Peeran-E-Peer Dastagir Saab’s compositions, but then we decided for Raag Bhagyashree which a raag of late evening. Sufi music will go on rising in the years to come. This music will never die. The way people are interested in music these days it was not so 50 years back and that shows the progress of music amongst people. Nobody can sing Sufi music without classical notes. No matter whether you are playing guitar or drum you cannot go without Classical notes as it’s the basic grammar.
And why do you think Sufi music is becoming more popular these days?
Because the people today are vexed with problems of life. There are layers of dust on their souls. Sufi music is that rain which cleans the mirror of soul. The people are trying to find peace and they can get peace in this music. It is equal to attaining Ruhaniyat.
So how can a common man understand he is close to Ruhaniyat?
When peace descends on people’s hearts that is the sign they are close to it. It is akin to the peace of the after-world. The person will feel internal joy and this is the success of music when it connects itself to a human heart.
Share some memories of Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan with us...
He was our grandfather. We played with him and ate from his plate. He always blessed us. Once I wore his vest when I (Ustad Mazhar Ali Khan) was five-years-old and asked his disciple to call me Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. He went ahead and sang a song for me. He has made classical music so beautiful that there won’t be any comparison even for 100 years. It is a big responsibility to carry his legacy forward. And we are doing it.
How difficult it is to be the grandsons of Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan?
The way there cannot be any comparison between Dilip Kumar and Akshay Kumar or Salman Khan, similarly there cannot be any comparison. Bade Ghulam Ali Khan was impeccable. If someone compares we cannot say anything about. Whatever we have learned from him is not less than a treasure.
Any special gifts from your grandfather
We always carry with us one ittardan (scent decanter) of our grandfather. Then we have two taanpuras of him. These are relics for us. Unkii khushboo aaj bhi hamarey paas hai...
What does kaifiyat mean for an artiste?
Music is God. If God is with you, then you yourself get spell-bound. It’s like intoxication that grows onto you. It’s a connection with divinity which takes both the the listener and musician deepinto it. The listeners get more intoxicated than the musicians themselves. And this is one connection that is comprehensible yet incomprehensible.
How much does technique matter for artistes?
Talent is either gifted by God or you have to work really hard to attain a certain level. Talent is like a natural diamond which just has to be polished. Sometimes if it’s an ordinary rock it needs to be polished more and more for that extra shine. Tough saadhna brings out the artiste’s side.
How important an award is for an exponent of art?
Awards are recognition of an artist by the state. Awards should come when the artist is in his prime, it boosts his talent and is a token for the recognition of his talent. Awards should not come when the artist has reached his late eighties and comes to collect the award in a wheelchair. He won’t even recognise what he is being offered then!
What do you like the most about Hyderabad?
He culture and mahaul for music is very conducive in Hyderabad. There are people in the city who understand music and appreciate the quality. What more can artist call for. We have been in the city before and would love to come back again and again. (Saying this they do their salaam to us and move towards the stage)