Shakir Khan, the 8th generation musician of the Imdadkhani gharana, will be playing at the first memorial festival dedicated to Ustad Vilayat Khan in Shimla. The Himachal Pradesh government has taken the welcome, though much belated, decision to commemorate Ustad Vilayat Khan’s stay in Shimla in the late 1960s and early 1970s. (His home was called “Parimahal”)
The event will feature the inaugural concert on 5th July by Ustad Vilayat Khan’s son and musical heir Ustad Shujaat Khan. The festivities will conclude with a recital by Shakir Khan, the legendary Ustad’s grand nephew on 6th July.
Shakir, who has just returned from a series of concerts in Europe, talks about his craft.
Tell us about your rich lineage.
Yes, without doubt, ours is the premier family of sitar, but it doesn’t end there. Unless one can learn the difficult techniques, we are known for, play to perfection the iconic compositions of my ancestors, it’s no use saying I belong to this tradition. I have never found it a burden to say I am so and so’s descendant, rather I regard it as a responsibility which I am proud to shoulder. It does mean practising hard with one pointed focus, but I am ok with it. One learns how to make the best use of time – hang out with friends less, limit one’s time on social media.
In today’s world, there are many issues that my generation has to deal with – marketing oneself, trying to remain in the public eye, but my father (Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan) has always maintained that true artists come up because of their undeniable talent, not because of marketing skills. I also believe that in the world of music, there are no age limits. Someone may be a mature musician at 25, another at 35. One has to just keep at it.
But surely, as a musician, mere hard work is not enough?
No doubt, one needs musicality and correct training. By God’s grace, music is in my DNA, and I have been taught by the best teacher, my father. But I do believe mere innate talent goes nowhere without practice. Technique helps to attain perfection, but it’s practice that achieves it. What is the point of having a musical idea, if you can’t execute through your fingers?
You are known to be open to trying new things
Yes, I do believe it’s important to get out of one’s comfort zone musically. Solo concerts are obviously the easiest to do; it’s what we train for. From the age of 5, average of minimum two hours practise every day – it adds up! Engaging with someone’s else’s musical thoughts in concert, to present something cohesive and pleasing, that is the challenge. I am not competitive on stage; my aim is to present something aesthetic, not to show I am the superior musician. I have been happy to play with as diverse musicians as Arshad Ali, vocalist of the Kirana gharana, sarodiya Abhishek Borkar and violinist Tejas Upadhyay. I have shared the stage with seniors suchs as include Mewati gharana vocalist Pt Sanjeev Abhyankar and Kirana gharana vocalist Pt Kaivalya Kumar. One has to keep an open mind and tune into what is being expressed by your co artist. My father has taught me to absorb what is good from wherever it comes. Jo mera hai, woh to mera hee rahega, kissee se kuch aur accha lene se, fayda mujhe hee hoga.
I am also part of jazz bands Taalism and Human Evolution; that’s a different type of engagement but I find it equally stimulating as a musician. At the same time, it’s important not to lose the intrinsic quality of one’s instrument.
Tell us about your forthcoming concert at the festival in memory of Ustad Vilayat Khan, your grand uncle.
I am really privileged to perform in his memory. Without doubt, he was one of the most important instrumentalists of the 20th century and his music has influenced generations after him. For me, he is the God of sitar.
(Shakir will perform at Gaiety Theatre Shimla, 6th July, 6 p.m.)
