JOIN US'Creative fields don't have formulas'
Born to the illustrious Bangash lineage, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan was only six-year old when he gave his first sarod recital. Today, he shoulders the sixth generation of inheritance in the lineage.
The Padma Vibhushan awardee, who has collaborated with many musicians and performed at various venues across the globe, is all set to perform at Music for Vision, a series of concerts to support the global campaign to end cataract blindness. Ahead of the show, he tells Shweta Sharma about his concerto, the importance of music in everyday life, and how there is no substitute for hard work.
Excerpts:
Why did you decide to perform the Samagam concerto at the upcoming concert?
In India alone, there are nearly 15 million people suffering from cataract-related vision impairment and blindness. Cataract blindness is the most easily treated form of blindness, yet is often made permanent by the twin curses of poverty and lack of access. We have the ability to transform the situation by taking action to bring light to those who would otherwise remain in the darkness.
The ‘Music For Vision India’ concerts are a metaphor for the possibilities that can blossom when a community comes together to create action. The Samagam sarod concerto carries a similar message. It is a model for what is possible when different musical cultures and genres come together with a purpose. Western classical symphonic form meets Indian Classical music to resound as a call for action.
Can you talk about the concerto?
I was very happy and honoured when the Scottish Chamber Orchestra approached me to write a Sarod concerto for them. David Murphy, a noted conductor from UK, was to conduct the entire concerto. David has great regard for Indian classical music, so he could understand and read my vision. After nearly a year’s work, I decided to name the project Samagam - A concerto for Sarod. Samagam recently premiered at the Orkney Islands in Scotland at the St Magnus Festival to a full house.
What is the idea behind Samagam?
The idea was to share the treasures of our artistic traditions, as well as find common ground in ragas and medieval modes. By god’s grace, we have achieved a cross-fertilisation of two classical music traditions, which are often held to be radically different. Through this collaboration, the aim is to preserve the essence of both Indian and Western traditions so they can flow into each other without artistic compromise. Over years, the concerto has been performed by Britten Sinfonia, Orchestre national d’Île de France, Orchestre d’Auvergne, London Philharmonia, Gulbenkian Orchestra and Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
What role does music play in our lives?
Music is one of the most important ‘food’ for the intellect. It is the greatest wealth I inherited from my forefathers; one that I am constantly sharing. Musicians and listeners of music have been communicating with each other across all barriers through this ‘language’ from time immemorial. As we use flowers in worship, welcoming, honouring, departure, and celebration no matter what our
race, origin, religion or language is, we similarly arrange musical notes into ‘bouquets’ or compositions which display our feelings and emotions.
Your views on the classical music industry in today’s time.
We have so many performers today. It has been a very long journey. There isn’t an instant coffee culture that I can follow. Only practice can work, not any kind of digital correction. However, I feel that an educational degree is important for any artiste today as a backup plan. Creative fields don’t have formulas or methods. I wish music shapes the consciousness in a way that contributes to oneness in children; it must be more practical and less theoretic.
Bollywood is experimenting with new sounds, but classical music still isn’t widely heard in films. What do you feel about the same?
Bollywood today is a director’s medium. I suppose a music director has to enhance a director’s imagination.
Are you open to playing for Bollywood films?
I did appear as myself in Sai Paranjpye’s film Sparsh starring Shabana Azmi and Naseeruddin Shah. I composed many ghazals for a serial called Guftagoo produced by Harish Thawani of Nimbus. However, with regards to Bollywood music there hasn’t been any offer that has appealed to me. If a subject that I like comes up, it’ll be great to do something.
What do you have to say about youngsters taking up classical music?
There is so much talent. I am so happy to see the progress of young artists. They are very fortunate to get access to so much content today through YouTube. However, to be a professional, you must learn from a teacher.Presented by HelpMeSee and Music for Life International, the concert is scheduled for October 23 at Sir Fort Auditorium at 7 pm.