Talktime | ustad shujaat khan
He is a symbol of music in evolution with a pedigree that extends to seven generations. This son & disciple of legendary sitarist Ustad Vilayat Khan speaks with SHAlINI SAKSENA about what music means to him and what he does when he is not Performing
What does music mean to youIJ
That is a very philosophical question and hence difficult to explain. It has no meaning for me as I am music. I was born into it, I live with it and will die with it. It is part of our existence and system. We live in it. I am not saying music is be-all and end-all, there are colours, emotions and nature. But music is the medium and the language that I use to express myself.
How has your 55 years of journey beenIJ
It has mostly been bitter and very difficult. But don’t like to focus on that because then I would be ungrateful. Today, I have got a good place in the society, I have great friends and family, get the choice of my concerts and people love me. But to reach here, I have had to make compromises, things that I have tolerated are my pain. I have borne them but am here and that is what matters.
What kind of training should people do to reach where you areIJ
The level of training doesn’t change. If one wants to be mediocre, he is in the best phase of his life — there is no pressure on him. For example, if one wants to be like Usain Bolt and live his life, one needs to meet the man to understand the kind of training he underwent. One needs to see how he gets up early in the morning to train for eight to 10 hours. In any field to excel, one has to go through a lot of hard work. If one doesn’t have the capacity to do so, they must compromise with mediocrity and be happy with it.
Did you want to be a musicianIJ
I would have wanted to be race car driver or just be a rich man or a pilot. As children, one wants to do a lot of things. If one wants to be a doctor and faints at the sight of blood, what good would that beIJ luckily, I realised early in life what I was good at and pursued it and did it to the best of my abilities
Have you managed to step out of your father’s shadowIJ
Yes, I think I have managed to do so. I feel I have a place of my own today. My music is different. But it took a long time. like I said, it has been difficult but don’t want to talk about the unhappiness that came with it. I am his son and disciple and proud of it. It has taken time for people to just say: ‘This is Shujaat Khan’. But it has happened. The challenge was not to run away but to find a space of my own in this realm.
How have concerts like the one organised by HCl help promote classical musicIJ
Such conglomerates are pioneers and need to take out some money from billions and put it in culture. They realise that they are part of who they are. Cricket is British but ragas our Indian. I am not saying don’t put money into cricket. But to keep the art alive there is need to back our culture. Such initiatives are good.
What do you do when you are not creating musicIJ
I don’t create music most of the time, I do inane things. I take my dog for a walk, make a cup of coffee for myself, visit new restaurants with friends, travel to new places. In general, have a lot of fun. I make music only when I am on stage.
Do you derive inspiration from NatureIJ
Anyone can derive inspiration from nature especially when you are surrounded by beauty — a lovely beach, wind passing through the trees or its changing colours — all inspire me. I derive inspiration from people as well.