My recital will be for terror victims: Sarod maestro

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 28

While he was the chosen musician from India during the recent music ceremony that marked the Nobel Peace Prize felicitation ceremony of Malala Yusufzai and Kailash Satyarthi at Oslo, legendary sarod virtuoso Ustad Amjad Ali Khan raised concerns over international terrorism and the future of Indian classical music, in the city today.

He addressed a press conference on his return to Jalandhar and to the Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan after a span of 16 years, during which he was missed a lot.

Fondly remembering his father Ustad Haafiz Ali Khan on his 42nddeath anniversary today, the maestro said when the President of India had once asked his father to seek something for music, he had sought the purity of the Raag Darbari. Such was his affection towards the art he pursued.

Announcing to the media his plans about his recital which would take place in the wee hours of the morning, he said, “I shall play for the cause of peace. For the children who have died in Peshawar and in the North East. My recital will be dedicated to the victims of terrorism.”

Lauding the Harivallabh Sangeet Committee, he said it was playing a valuable role to promote the young generation of artistes in the field of music and the festival should always continue this way.

Speaking in a lighter vein about his performance at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony at Norway, he said, “We were given five minutes to perform. Me and my sons (Amaan Khan and Ayan Khan) from India and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan had been called from Pakistan. I thought maybe they shouldn’t have called if they wanted me to perform in five minutes, but that was the format. Some artistes were given five minutes, others seven. So we had to adjust in it.”

“We were initially in a fix, but we somehow managed,” he laughed.

Subtly conveying his concerns both in terms of organisers and performers of classical music across the country, he said, “There are too many committees in the country and some artistes as well who would become part of any committee. The government needs to involve creative people as part of forums and trusts which are working for the cause of Indian classical music because they would understand its real essence.”

He condemned the role of television, saying it had created conflicts and distanced people from culture. “People stay away from concerts. Reality shows and big platforms reign high on the minds of new students. They have big resumes and lack of respect for their Guru. Look at the Indian masters. They had humility, dedication. Unless there is politeness in nature, true music can’t be achieved.”

He stressed on greater sensitivity of the government towards the cause of music. “School students should know sa re ga ma pa. They should be singing it at schools assemblies. Young talent in classical music should be awarded scholarships by the government. Musicians should not have to wait to get old to get an awards and rewards from the government.”