Sitar maestro Hidayat Khan captures the vast and intricate beauty of our country in his reimagined version of the National Anthem
Our National Anthem Jana Gana Mana always engenders a deep sense of patriotism and goosebump moments, especially when we Indians ace the world in sporting and other global events. But when a version comes out where the sitar and classical vocals take over, it is a whole new experience. World-renowned classical musician and sitar maestro Hidayat Khan has done precisely that.
So, what inspired him to reimagine Jana Gana Mana and present it in a fresh perspective? “I was recently invited to perform at an event in New York, where I was asked to play our National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana. That request inspired me to create a version that felt deeply personal—one that reflected my experiences and was deeply rooted in my upbringing as well as learning of Indian classical music. The inspiration came from the anthem itself—its words, its meaning and the profound emotions it evokes.”
The anthem itself, with its timeless beauty and profound significance, was a major inspiration for this reimagining. “I feel incredibly fortunate to have a supportive and talented team around me that helped bring this vision to life, making it a rendition that is both meaningful and unique to my musical journey.”
The rendition begins with an alaap, which, in essence, is an introduction. Here, the music introduces India—one note at a time, one moment at a time—reflecting its vast and intricate beauty. This is followed by the introduction of rhythm, where the energy builds to symbolise the vibrant hustle and bustle of India, its high energy and its incredible diversity. Finally, the anthem is sung in a solo voice, representing unity in diversity—a hallmark of India’s essence. Hidayat is elated by the response of the audience. “It has been overwhelmingly positive, which has been both heart-warming and encouraging. People have described it as refreshing, yet deeply rooted in tradition. I feel incredibly thankful that the audience has received it exactly as we hoped they would.”
Childhood dream
Hidayat commenced his formal training under the expert guidance of his father, the esteemed Ustad Vilayat Khan, at the age of four. His dedicated training continued rigorously until he reached the age of 14. Throughout this formative period, Hidayat had the remarkable opportunity to showcase his talent by performing at prestigious venues, including the renowned Royal Albert Hall, the illustrious Kennedy Center, the historic Carnegie Hall and the celebrated Alice Tully Hall. “Everything I am as a musician and as a person is because of my father, and my mother as well. My father taught me to treat the world as my guru and to interpret my musical journey through the lens of those experiences. That perspective has become the foundation of everything I create and share as an artist,” he says.
A versatile and accomplished artiste, he has made significant contributions to film music, including his work in Mira Nair’s renowned film Kamasutra. In 1999, he created a compelling background track for the Discovery Channel’s captivating documentary Tracking a Legend, which beautifully explored the intricate lives of tigers.
Melting pot of cultures
Back to his recent composition, Jana Gana Mana. He reminisces, “The last time I sang Jana Gana Mana was during school assemblies in Dehradun. Back then, it was a routine part of my day, but I didn’t fully comprehend how deeply its words and meaning had shaped me as a person. Looking back, I see how those values became a part of who I am.”
Hidayat believes that today the anthem holds a profound significance, especially as a reminder of the beauty in diversity. “India is an extraordinary country—a melting pot of cultures where, every 50 miles, the language, food and traditions change. Yet, for thousands of years, we have coexisted, evolved and thrived together on the same land. Jana Gana Mana represents that unity, a powerful symbol of how our diversity comes together as one. For me, it’s a deeply personal connection to both my roots and my vision for what India embodies.”
Hidayat is also deeply committed to teaching music to eager students, sharing his profound knowledge and passion with the next generation of musicians. That will go a long way!
