The distinctive features of a gharana emerge from the magical chemistry of many elements, particularly the emotional and unconscious landscapes inherited by the musician and the intellectual assimilation of the nature of the raga. This was realized while listening to sitar playing by Ustad Shujaat Khan, son and disciple of Ustad Vilayat Khan of Etawah Imdadkhani Gharana. While performing for the HCL mega concert ‘Transcendence’, Shujaat Khan debuted with Gaur-Malhar, the melodious monsoon raga.
The surprising element to the listener was in the way the melody was presented – in contrast to how it is traditionally presented. His Gaur sounded like an introspective interpretation of the Malhar raga. “People think that Gaur Malhar is just putting a Tej (sharp) Gandhar in Miyan-Malhar instead of Komal Gandhar (a flat version), but that’s what I heard from myself. elderly (Elders) have inspired me to explore new aspects of it within the realm of grammar. That is the beauty of classical music, I enjoy its creativity and spontaneity,” Shujaat said.
Shujaat’s game reminds one how monsoon is not only about thundering clouds and lightning, but also about rim-sprinkling (Drizzle), which came in his latest four note ‘Ga Re Ni Sa’. Obviously such an approach to ‘raga-sangeet’ demands a certain internalization of the raga which is difficult to achieve.
Shujaat Khan was able to create a monsoon atmosphere with a beautiful alap, jod and jhala before performing the composition in Teentaal. After this sumptuous main course, Tilak Kamod and Khamaj came in the form of delicious sweets, with popular Sufi compositions of Hazrat Amir Khusrau, ‘Khusro Baji Prem Ki, Piya Ghar Aaye’ and ‘Chhap Tilak’ encouraging the illustrious youth. Zuheb Ahmed and Shariq Mustafa sitting on both sides alternately on the tabla.
Tuneful Notes
Shujaat’s picturesque renditions with sitar vocals sparked a curiosity about his skills as a singer. Ustad Vilayat Khan was initially a ‘singer’, having trained under his maternal grandfather Ustad Bande Hussain Khan and uncle Ustad Zinda Hussain Khan. “I was Ustad Aamir Khan and Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, who were dear friends of my father. They taught me many lovely compositions,” he says. “I learned driving while Pt. Bhimsen Joshi during a week long tour of London or when we used to travel together on train journey. Those moments gave me priceless insights,” says Shujaat.
Referring to the title of the concert, ‘Transcendence’, Shujaat says, “I experience it when I sit with my instrument and feel like the whole universe has disappeared. It’s in a different realm. It is about the transcendence of self, space and time, where you encounter the emotional and spiritual aspects of music.”
Delhi-based writers write on Hindustani music.
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