KARACHI: A conversation with Ustad Raza Ali Khan, the grandson of Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, at the National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa) on Monday evening entertained and enlightened music lovers on some finer points of classical music.

The event was moderated by Sharif Awan whose Tehzeeb Foundation co-hosted it.

After a rather effusive introduction to classical music with reference to dhrupad and khayal, Mr Awan asked Ustad Raza Ali Khan, who also performed at the recently concluded 21st edition of the All Pakistan Music Conference (APMC), about his opinion on the subject.

The Ustad said Hazrat Amir Khusrau initiated the idea of the khayal but it was the later musicians who established it firmly. In that context, he told the audience about how the ragas were formed and how they were fine-tuned by introducing segments such as bandishein and bahlavey.

Ustad Raza Ali Khan says someone having passion for music, but without a good voice, can sing well after rigorous riyaz

The chitchat was interspersed with live music. Ustad Raza Ali Khan in order to demonstrate what he had told in response to the first question performed raga jhannjoti (the raga in which the famous ghazal Gulaon mein rang bharey is composed) and during the performance educated the audience, which hadn’t turned up in a big number, on how a raga is embellished.

The second question that Mr Awan put to him, after highlighting the interconnectedness of poetry and music, was to do with: how to have the rass in singing. Explaining it, the Ustad said the essential element of the rass is produced to moisten (tar) the voice and not let it dry (khuhsk). The ultimate aim is to achieve roundness (golai) or beauty of the voice that touches the heart. He demonstrated that bit as well.

The next query was related to the formation of new bandashein. The Ustad said his grandfather did come up with his own bandishein such Prem Jogan that he sang for the iconic film Mughal-i-Azam. Naturally, he was then asked to sing it, which he did.

After that the floor was opened for the audience to ask questions.

One of them asked about what if someone who doesn’t have a good singing voice sees the light of day in a musical family. The Ustad answered that with rigorous riyaz and passion for the music someone who ostensibly doesn’t have a good voice can sing well.

The audience then requested the Ustad to sing raga hameer. He did a nice job with hameer. He sang a tappa in raga bhairvi as well.

Published in Dawn, March 5th, 2024