<p>A sitar concert by Ustad Shafique Khan, called ‘Singing Strings’, was held in the City. For the lovers of Indian classical music, the evening wouldn’t have been more soulful as the auditorium of Bangalore International Centre was filled with the soothing sound of sitar strains. Ustad Shafique Khan hails from a family which has been popularising sitar in the South. He is presently working with the All India Radio and Dharwad is his hometown. At the ‘Singing Strings’ concert, Ustad Shafique Khan played two ragas — Puriya Kalyan, which is an evening raga set to two different compositions in different taalas, followed by a dhun in Mishra Kafi raga.<br /><br /></p>.<p>There was complete silence in the auditorium and the audience seemed engrossed in the music. Ustad Shafique Khan performed with unbelievable ease. He aesthetically presented the aalap and the systematic development of ragas. <br /><br />Melodiously, he blended the Gayaki Ang and the Tantrakari Ang.<br />The artist has also been conferred with the Surmani award by Sur Singar Samsad and has served as the member of Karnataka Sangeet Nritya Academy also. Ustad Shafique’s beautiful rendition kept the audience wanting more. His performance offered a refreshing perspective. His sensitive, yet controlled handling of the instrument, is a testimony to his talent and dedication to music. His rhythmic and melodic vitality shone through his performance.<br /><br />Vani Murali, who had come for the concert, said, “I love instrumental music as it is calm and peaceful. Though I don’t understand sitar much, I found ‘Singing Strings’ melodious.” Suraj M, who had also come to watch the performance, said, “Indian classical music is the best. Such programmes should be encouraged and should attract young people as well.” True to its name, ‘Singing Strings’ proved that the strings did all the singing.</p>
<p>A sitar concert by Ustad Shafique Khan, called ‘Singing Strings’, was held in the City. For the lovers of Indian classical music, the evening wouldn’t have been more soulful as the auditorium of Bangalore International Centre was filled with the soothing sound of sitar strains. Ustad Shafique Khan hails from a family which has been popularising sitar in the South. He is presently working with the All India Radio and Dharwad is his hometown. At the ‘Singing Strings’ concert, Ustad Shafique Khan played two ragas — Puriya Kalyan, which is an evening raga set to two different compositions in different taalas, followed by a dhun in Mishra Kafi raga.<br /><br /></p>.<p>There was complete silence in the auditorium and the audience seemed engrossed in the music. Ustad Shafique Khan performed with unbelievable ease. He aesthetically presented the aalap and the systematic development of ragas. <br /><br />Melodiously, he blended the Gayaki Ang and the Tantrakari Ang.<br />The artist has also been conferred with the Surmani award by Sur Singar Samsad and has served as the member of Karnataka Sangeet Nritya Academy also. Ustad Shafique’s beautiful rendition kept the audience wanting more. His performance offered a refreshing perspective. His sensitive, yet controlled handling of the instrument, is a testimony to his talent and dedication to music. His rhythmic and melodic vitality shone through his performance.<br /><br />Vani Murali, who had come for the concert, said, “I love instrumental music as it is calm and peaceful. Though I don’t understand sitar much, I found ‘Singing Strings’ melodious.” Suraj M, who had also come to watch the performance, said, “Indian classical music is the best. Such programmes should be encouraged and should attract young people as well.” True to its name, ‘Singing Strings’ proved that the strings did all the singing.</p>
