A tuneful tribute to Ustad Rais Khan
National Academy of Performing Arts held a musical night in tribute of the late great Ustad
PHOTO: PUBLICITY
KARACHI:
Renowned sitarist Ustad Rais Khan’s death earlier this month left a huge void in the world of classical music. He was respected for his talents and personality and essentially oozing grace. National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa) held a musical night in tribute of the late great Ustad on May 22.
The night was part of the three-day musical performances juncture titled ‘Bridging Cultures Through Music’ held from May 22 to May 24. The first night, in tribute to Khan, consisted of sitar performances by young sitarists such as Sajid Hussain, Turab Ali, Shehroze and Imdad Hussain, with Ustad Bashir Khan on tablas.
The passing away of a culture
Veteran sitarist Ustad Nafees Ahmed began the night, saying, “I understand everyone dies. It’s a ritual of world and it can’t be changed. But some people come and serve so much that they deserve to be remembered.” That was the reason to have only sitar solos on tonight’s show. But he said, “Tonight, it’s not a competition of any sorts. The main goal is not to critique and see who plays better, but who plays with more heart and dedication in his tribute to Ustad Rais Khan sahib.
Khan sahab’s son Farhan Rais was also in attendance. He was very thankful of Napa for paying tribute to his father and thanked everyone in the audience. He talked about how influential Khan sahib had been in the world of classical music.
The magic of the sitar unveiled
“So many people across the world have been inspired by him. They are all playing really well. I am really proud to be his son.” He added, “If I can do one percent of what Khan sahib could do on sitar, it would be wonderful and I’d have succeeded.”
Khan was known for his decades of contribution in classical music and was accredited for innovating gaeki ang in sitar music – the technique of playing sounds which only human vocals can make through sitar. His contribution in Indian and Pakistani film music is also widely acclaimed. Khan’s legacy lives through his son, a younger sitar player and his students. Guitar maestro Amir Zaki once claimed, “If only our state and society respected artists the way they should, Ustad Raees Khan would’ve been way above where Pandit Ravi Shankar stands today.
In an earlier interview with The Express Tribune, Tehzeeb Foundation patron Sharif Awan said, “After Khushwant Singh, he is respected both as an Indian and a Pakistani. We can’t divide his legacy. He belonged to the music and music can’t be used to divide.” Awan’s statement rings true as many from Indian music fraternity also mourned Khan sahab’s loss. Even legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar tweeted about his demise, calling him “sitar ke jadugar.” Composer Abbas Ali Khan had said, “He was the last from that era. No one in this world came close to him. He was the top most sitar player.”
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Renowned sitarist Ustad Rais Khan’s death earlier this month left a huge void in the world of classical music. He was respected for his talents and personality and essentially oozing grace. National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa) held a musical night in tribute of the late great Ustad on May 22.
The night was part of the three-day musical performances juncture titled ‘Bridging Cultures Through Music’ held from May 22 to May 24. The first night, in tribute to Khan, consisted of sitar performances by young sitarists such as Sajid Hussain, Turab Ali, Shehroze and Imdad Hussain, with Ustad Bashir Khan on tablas.
The passing away of a culture
Veteran sitarist Ustad Nafees Ahmed began the night, saying, “I understand everyone dies. It’s a ritual of world and it can’t be changed. But some people come and serve so much that they deserve to be remembered.” That was the reason to have only sitar solos on tonight’s show. But he said, “Tonight, it’s not a competition of any sorts. The main goal is not to critique and see who plays better, but who plays with more heart and dedication in his tribute to Ustad Rais Khan sahib.
Khan sahab’s son Farhan Rais was also in attendance. He was very thankful of Napa for paying tribute to his father and thanked everyone in the audience. He talked about how influential Khan sahib had been in the world of classical music.
The magic of the sitar unveiled
“So many people across the world have been inspired by him. They are all playing really well. I am really proud to be his son.” He added, “If I can do one percent of what Khan sahib could do on sitar, it would be wonderful and I’d have succeeded.”
Khan was known for his decades of contribution in classical music and was accredited for innovating gaeki ang in sitar music – the technique of playing sounds which only human vocals can make through sitar. His contribution in Indian and Pakistani film music is also widely acclaimed. Khan’s legacy lives through his son, a younger sitar player and his students. Guitar maestro Amir Zaki once claimed, “If only our state and society respected artists the way they should, Ustad Raees Khan would’ve been way above where Pandit Ravi Shankar stands today.
In an earlier interview with The Express Tribune, Tehzeeb Foundation patron Sharif Awan said, “After Khushwant Singh, he is respected both as an Indian and a Pakistani. We can’t divide his legacy. He belonged to the music and music can’t be used to divide.” Awan’s statement rings true as many from Indian music fraternity also mourned Khan sahab’s loss. Even legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar tweeted about his demise, calling him “sitar ke jadugar.” Composer Abbas Ali Khan had said, “He was the last from that era. No one in this world came close to him. He was the top most sitar player.”
Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.