‘Baithak’ is associated with the preservation of the tradition of classical music and is a means of making an artist available not only for performances but also for bringing up the nuances of music. So it proved in Ustad Mubarak’s case.

It is always an experience to listen to this excellent classical artist rendering a raag or a thumri. He belongs to the Shaam Churasi Gharana but never introduces himself with this reference since he does not follow the Shaam Churasi ang [style of singing]. He attributes his skills to his rohani ustad [mentor] Ustad Amir Khan of Indor, who was one of the great masters of his own time.

While Sunday’s programme started late, the first raag presented was Konsi Kanadra, about which there is much controversy regarding the thaath [parent scale], the aarohi [ascending order], amrohi [descending order], vadi [dominant note] and samvadi [sub-dominant note]. There is also disagreement about the raag’s authenticity.

The way Ustad sang, it was of Aasavari thaath, Malkons in aarohi and Sampooran in amrohi, as in the Sampooran Malkons. The rendering was superb. In the alaap [prelude], the raag’s parameters were well considered.

The bandish [composition] was in Jhap Taal, with a 10-beat rhythmic cycle. The clarity of the Taans and Murkis with interesting use of pitch intervals were handled with great command and intricacy. This was followed by a bandish in the popular 16-beat rhythmic cycle, Teen Taal followed by a beautiful tarana. Although the Ustad has tried to fulfil everyone’s requests and sang the Raga Aanandi Kalyan, a couple of thumris earlier sung by Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan Sahib, and the Thumri Pillu which correctly created a sense of ending, an audience member shouted for the Raga Darbari which was a little irrelevant. Otherwise, however, the crowd was very appreciative and supportive of the music.

On the tabla, Mehmud Ali accompanied the Ustad humbly while harmonium player Mohammad Afzal accompanied him excellently. The quality of reproducing sung phrases on a harmonium is a challenge met successfully by Afzal. The concert continued without a break for about two and a half hours and ended slightly after midnight.