Bismillah Khan's musical saga

They represent three generations of Indian classical music. If the first one has breathed his soul into a reed to create music for over seven decades, the second raised the santoor to a new level as an instrument. The third has managed to strike a rare balance, by taking the family tradition of classical music forward and launching a career in the popular segment at the same time.

Monday will see the three -- Ustad Bismillah Khan, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma and son Rahul Sharma -- perform at the Siri Fort Auditorium to pay tribute to the soldiers who laid down their lives during the Independence struggle. Aptly titled ``Amar Jyoti'', the programme will also have Ustad Shefat Ali Khan play the tabla during the event.

Age has not withered the shehnai maestro's passion for music, nor has it taken away Ustad Bismillah Khan's almost child-like demeanour when it comes to speaking about the nostalgic years. He remembers practicing at a small Balaji temple on the banks of the Ganga at Varanasi.

Breaking into a song ``Ganga kinare'', he gives an impish smile before stating:`` Riyaaz is the most important thing in music. We used to practice for hours. The music that the youngsters play today is good but they don't practice much. It is baatein zyada and kaam kum these days.''

From playing at the first Independence Day to the one celebrating half a century of independence, the maestro has enjoyed playing with his magical piece of reed. But the 85-year-old musical genius is a worried man now, with his concern being the state of classical musicians in India.

``During the time of kings, musicians did not have to worry about their livelihood. They were treated royally, and awarded just as nicely. It was simply a matter of being good then. The government should do something for the betterment of Indian classical musicians,'' he adds.

Pointing out that music is bound to be influenced by social changes, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma emphasised that ``there are bound to be changes. Fusion has been there for long now, Any music that lacks melody will die soon. In the end it is songs with melody that will sustain.''

For Rahul Sharma, taking up the santoor was almost a natural choice. And like his father, he too will compose music for films. While Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma composed music for Yash Chopra's ``Silsila'' and ``Chandni'', Rahul is now composing for Yashraj Film's next venture ``Mujhse dosti Karoge''. ``It is definitely different. Film music is situational and hence it will be of the popular kind.''

Shehnai has remained a male-dominated art form so far, with Delhi-based Bhageeshri being the only woman to play the instrument. Point this out to the maestro and he responds, on the defensive, quickly: ``More women should play the shehnai. It is not as if they can't play. Unless women start practicing how will they learn it. With the right amount of riyaaz, anything is possible,'' he repeats.

Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan's obsession for riyaz is admirable. Especially when he says rather nonchalantly, ``Dil chahta hai ke aur bhi bajayenge. I don't need to worry about anything now. I am not what I am because of people or the radio. In fact, the radio is because of me.''

By Lakshmi Balakrishnan

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