‘It’s good to be centred’

Be it food or music, Ustad Shujaat Khan talks about the importance of striking a balance.

IN TOP FORM Shujaat Khan

Ustad Shujaat Khan is approachable, affable, and articulate, and it is always a privilege to talk to him on a variety of subjects. His tremendous creativity and expertise on sitar is enhanced by his lineage of an unbroken musical tradition of five generations. Yet his playing follows its own chart. His informality is infectious; his sharp wit induces side splitting laughter that is hard to control; in fact he is truly an entertainer in the true sense of the word. He was extremely busy putting together last minute details for his mega concert next week with the tabla legend Ustad Zakir Hussain who he has not played with “in years”. The concert has been put together by the Ustad Vilayat Khan Music Foundation; as Shujaat puts it, “the foundation is my tribute to my father whom I miss a lot, still. It’s a small way of keeping his name alive; to contribute to the music he lived for, by doing music related activities in his name”.

Excerpts:

Tell us about your life’s mantra:

My aim in life is to have a balance; the centre path. I am surrounded by extremists – whether its religion, or food faddists – either it’s only nimbu pani or korma three times a day! There has to be a balance. All modernity is not good; but tradition can sometimes hold you back. So it’s good to be centred. My “nani” (maternal grandmother) used to give water to a “tulsi” (holy basil) plant, and then walk around it four times. It seems completely without sense, but actually, inhaling tulsi vapours keeps away asthma! So maybe the daily ritual of being close, offering water, walking around the plant has its practical point. Similarly, I remember questioning my father, Abba, (father) why does one kneel to offer “namaaz,” why not sit on a chair. Today I know the daily five times ritual of sitting on ones heels is actual a yogic posture that immensely aids health.

So I can’t say I am against tradition; on the other hand I am considered an open modern man – I have never forced lifestyle choices on either of my children; my music reflects my nature and has a lot of new with the old. I am very conscious of the concept of “proportion” in a concert – there is no point over doing any one aspect just because it’s evoking applause. “Meend kiye, to bus kiye gaye” – no! My father taught me the importance of a sense of proportion.

Your wife is said to be a huge influence. Please comment:

My wife Parveen whom I met first in Dehradun, is undoubtedly the rock in our family. I knew her family and we met for about four years before we married. Anyone who knows me, knows the great good influence Parveen has had on me. She has managed the family, my children, and has let me be the way I am – I am quite reclusive; am not a Page 3 person, don’t like the glamour that goes with being a celebrated public person and she has never pushed me to be what I am not. She respects my need for privacy. In today’s world one should be more image conscious which I am not, but she has always been fine with me, with all my faults. She is one of the most charming graceful and competent persons I know – she can walk into the kitchen and dish up a three course meal herself for 20 people! I hope I have managed to reciprocate, and look after her in the way she deserves, being there for her, remembering things she likes…physically I am away a lot with my concerts, etc, but she always copes with whatever comes up. I am very very lucky!

What are your goals now?

I am today replete. Earlier, I would have liked to have been honoured with, say a Padma Shri, but that was maybe 20 years ago. I have achieved a position today that no award can enhance, I have the sort of recognition that is completely satisfying. I feel one can’t have everything! Maybe it was my own fault for not trying to be noticed by the people who matter.

I am top of my profession today – I don’t say it, people say it. It sounds arrogant, but it’s true. I have love and respect from so many people; I am not in any race any more. Today I don’t need to keep stepping on the gas to go somewhere, to achieve anything. I have a position today that I dreamt of when I was younger, that artists aspire for. I am grateful for all that life offers me. I enjoy luxury, like good cars, good living, my comfortable home, good shawls…for me, working on my music to produce something appealing that touches someone’s heart and makes him happy is enough. I enjoy what I am doing, and am happy.

(The concert is at the Modern School auditorium on 13th February, 7 pm onwards)