Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. While there is no substitute for listening to classical music live, the coranvirus pandemic has forced everyone to take steps that keep each other at a safe distance.

A virtual baithak with rubab player Ustad Mazhar Shaggan organised by the All Pakistan Music Conference (APMC) on Saturday evening was one such effort.

Presented online on the APMC’s Facebook page and YouTube channel, it attracted a fair amount of online attention. After all, the ustad is great at what he does.

He began the concert with raga gorakh kalian which belongs to the khamaj thaat. One of the reasons for choosing the raga could be that it’s usually played at night. His 35-minute or so presentation was right out of the top drawer. There was calmness to the composition and within that calm atmosphere he created the picture of the raga with all its subtle features in a masterful way. He was accompanied during the performance by a tabla nawaz and a harmonium player. Despite such a minimal setup, his act looked and sounded complete.

The tabla nawaz, Sunny Jimmy, also needs to be praised for being a young man working alongside such a seasoned artist is no mean feat. But he managed to hold his own. As a result, the show came across as not an online viewing experience, but a concert that music lovers were physically watching from a close distance.

Earlier, Ustad Mazhar Shaggan addressed the audience. He said he is the son of Ustad Ghulam Hassan Shaggan, one of the legendary classical artists from the Gwalior gharana. Like a true disciple of music, and as per tradition, he sought forgiveness in advance in case he made a mistake. Of course, he didn’t. That’s why these classical musicians are so grounded and excellent at what they do.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2021