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His touch can make a sarod produce magic. Maestro in the truest sense, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan has collaborated with Scottish Chamber Orchestra for a fusion concerto Samaagam, which was held in six Indian cities this February.
Sreya Basu in conversation with the legend in Kolkata Do you still feel nervous before a performance? I do pray to God to help me play the music that will be successful in entertaining my audience.
You mean to say that there is no need for them to understand what you are playing? I am strongly against this debate in the audience over identifying the ‘ragas’. My audience not just comprises music experts but also common people who are music lovers. So when one says ‘I know this raga but you don’t’ it mars the environment of my concerts. I just want people to come and enjoy my music. They should relax, forget their daily tension and appreciate my music no matter what raga I am playing. What is Samaagam all about? Samaagam, as the name suggests, is confluence. This concert is going to be a confluence (I don’t like the word ‘fusion’) of Eastern and European classical music. For the first time I have collaborated with the national orchestra of Scotland-Scotland Chamber Orchestra (SCO) where in the first part of the concert there are pieces from European masters like Mozart and Beethoven, the second part is my solo performance and the concluding part, an amalgamation of the Eastern and Western classical music. Our first Samaagam was held at London in June 2008. India is the second country where it started with Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh and Delhi. Do you think people are slowly alienating themselves from Indian classical music? No`85not ‘slowly’ alienating, but fast. And thanks to the 200 television channels that supply entertainment in the living room. Now-a-days I feel thankful if people come to my solo concerts leaving all the laughter shows and other cheap entertainment that the idiot box offers for free. There are so many music talent hunts going on. What do you think about them? Televion channels only highlights the entertainment part of music. Of course, that’s important for their business. But, what about our tradition? Music is not a joke and life is not just entertainment.`A0 Music is not screaming, dancing in pretty dresses or winning talent hunts. There is no serious music on any channel except Doordarshan and Lok Sabha TV. If offered, will you agree to judge any reality shows on television? Yes, provided I am given the independence to pass my judgment not for TRPs but for proper grooming of the participants. AR Rehman has recently won a BAFTA for Slumdog Millionaire. Your comments. Rehman is the first Bollywood music director to have won an international award and I am very happy for him. Till date, it was the classical musicians only who received all international awards. Also, I heard that my guru bhai Pandit Bhimsen Joshi was conferred the Bharat Ratna by the Indian government and my friend Ustad Zakir Hussain has won a Grammy. These news make me feel too proud as an Indian and a worshipper of music. Are you happy with the way the career of your two sons, Aman and Ayan, have shaped up? Aman and Ayan are both versatile and hardworking youngsters. They are multi-dimensional (laughs). They have travelled across the world with me and played sarod, brought out so many CDs, been on the ramp, acted in advertisements and now all set to make their film debut with director J P Dutta’s project. Every now and then, they are giving me surprises and I am happy for them. Are you really ‘happy’ with what they are doing? Yes, I am very happy for them. I don’t want to impose my legacy on my children or disciples. Every individual should be given their independence to make their own decisions. Your music often makes the audience cry. Have it ever made you cry? There are two ragas – Bhairavi and Komal Gandhar Ashabari — that brings tears in my eyes whenever I play them. Besides, any raga when played passionately creates this devotional effect. What else interests you apart from music? Books, films and football. In my house in Delhi my bed and dressing table is full of books. As for films, I mostly watch yesteryear flicks. Also I try to make it to the film festivals in or outside the country. Earlier I had to stand in the queues for tickets, now I get VIP passes. I was born in Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh but was born and brought up in Kolkata. I was a supporter of Mohun Bagan footballers. What is the most romantic thing you have done for your wife till now? The most precious thing I have is music so I composed a raga and named it after her. And as February is the month of love, I played ‘Raag Subhalaxmi’ in all six ‘Samaagam’ concerts. — India Blooms News Service
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