The musically gifted Kamal Sabri is the seventh generation of a distinguished family of traditional musicians. He is the son of sarangi legend Ustad Sabri Khan and  is carrying forward the rich legacy of the Sania gharana of Moradabad with a single minded dedication, says Suman Doonga of SPICMACAY

How much justice are you doing to the royal legacy of your father and where do you want to excel more and deliver your bestIJ

I belong to the great gharana of sarangi, The Muradabad gharana and carry the legacy of Sabri family. It was my father, the great sarangi legend Ustad Sabri Khan sahib who introduced sarangi to America, Europe, China, Japan, Middle East and the rest of the world. He performed at the Parliament house when India got independence. He also played the first ever jugalbandi of violin and sarangi with  the violin legend Sir Yehudi Menuhin.

I am just following my father’s footsteps and trying to take forward his teachings and his music. And I endeavour to make sarangi music familiar to the ears of every layman. My father’s teachings are the sole reason behind me getting established as a leading solo sarangi player of India at a very young age. Ever since I have been collaborating with the world class musicians around the globe. And last year I received the Nashville Music City award, International artist of the year 2016 in USA.

I have done around 25 solo and fusion music CDs such as Sarangi Funk and Sarangi Redefined, where I have used Tihar jail inmates to perform as I taught Indian classical music to the inmates for around one year. In 2006 my album, Dance of the Desert was submitted for the Grammy award and the American Academy of Music made a special category for sarangi, projecting it as a world music instrument.

Sarangi should be taught in music universities as a subject all around the world and people should take more notice about this unique instrument.

Today, sarangi is not only an instrument restricted to Indian music rather its a world music instrument which is being learnt by the Western, Chinese and Japanese music students.

How do you feel when you perform abroad. Also, what is the difference between Indian  audiences and the foreignersIJ

When I perform in India I feel that I am representing my gharana of music and the audience not only understands but also critiques whatever I play. It is essesntial that I take the responsibility of my forefathers music seriously. Where the connausores of music are sitting in the audience, noticing and complementing me after my performance.

When I perform abroad I am representing my country through music along with giving pleasure to the audiences abroad through our traditional  Indian classical music.

What is your plan of execution for the teaching and training of sarangi to the new generation and what support you expect from the peopleIJ

I am optimistic about the fact that one day the government of India or some private sector will help me start an institute where sarangi classes would be held. There will also be a museum where different types of sarangis are kept and students from all over the world would come, stay, learn and do research work in our traditional way and all the greatest sarangi players of India would come together and teach.

Also there will be a provision for scholarships for students who excel. However, at the moment I teach my students at home and I also travel abroad  giving lectures on sarangi in music universities, schools and music conservatories to let students know about the vast repertoire and capabilities of sarangi.

How you feel about SPICMACAY promoting Indian classical music and culture among the youthIJ

I think SPICMACAY is great organisation which is doing an excellent job in promoting indian classical music and culture among youth by organising music workshops. Great musicians visit to the schools and let our youth know about the roots and the depth of our culture and music. One of the reason I started to perform for Spicmacay is that we could get the opportunities to go and perform in the interior parts of india where it is not very easy to reach and perform for the underprivileged. And spread the message of peace, harmony through the indian classical notes.