KARACHI: The loss of Ustad Raees Khan was commemorated on Monday evening at the National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa) where several sitar performers and other artists came together to pay tribute to one of the most gifted sitar players in South Asia.

Apart from being a musical evening, many in the music fraternity shared anecdotes of Ustad Raees Khan’s musical journey and how he established himself as a sitar maestro, commanding the respect of all.

Arshad Mehmud, director programmes and administration at Napa, recalled a time in the history of Pakistan when cross-border musical collaborations and movement of artists was common. “I recall a particular musical performance by Ustad Raees Khan where I was seated next to music director and composer Nisar Bazmi who brilliantly encapsulated the true essence of how Ustad Raees performed. He said, and I recall, that Ustad Raees performed in such a way that he transformed the sitar into wax and moulded it the way he wished to, and then presented it to the audience.”

The first performer of the night was Turab Ali, grandson of Ustad Imdad Husain. Turab Ali’s performance, with the legendary Ustad Bashir Khan on tabla, was a melodic lament full of nostalgia. It paid respect to the irreparable loss of a sitar giant, and also hoped for more fruitful days for the craft of the sitar in Pakistan.

The other memorable performance of the night was by Ustad Sajid Hussain who belongs to the Senia Gharana that traces its roots to Mian Tansen.

Ustad Raees was awarded the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, and his loss marks the degeneration of the classical music of sitar in the country. With only a handful of sitar players left, and a widening gap between the old and young generation of sitar players, the fate of this classical instrument and tradition is uncertain. And in a bid to regroup and make directed efforts towards sustaining this musical expression which is centuries old, Ustad Nafees Ahmed of Napa organised the evening.

“We are not here to compare and contrast who is a better performer. We have not gathered tonight to award positions to these performers. We are simply here to see and hear the love, affection and respect these performers have for Ustad Raees Khan. This is a personal tribute on behalf of each of the performers,” said Ustad Nafees.

Farhan Khan, son of Ustad Raees, was also expected to perform but was unable to do so and many in the audience were disappointed. He, however, was present to pay his respects and thanked the members of the audience, the performers and the organisers for the tribute they paid to his father.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2017