Sitar maestro’s performance mesmerizes audience

Ustad Ashraf Sharif Khan delivers enthralling performance at PNCA

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) hosted an instrumental musical evening “Saaz Samandar” at the council’s auditorium. The event was enjoyed by many, as two musical legends performed, leaving the audience spellbound with their enchanting melodies.

Amongst the musicians was Ustad Ashraf Sharif Khan, the son of legendary sitar master Ustad Muhammad Sharif Khan Poonch Wala. He is as competent as his father & grandfather in performing the traditional sitar.

Khan’s music combines astonishing technical proficiency with near-perfection in symphonic expression. The melodic beauty of his style - accentuated by his dynamic rhythmic development and the virtuous technique - produce a unique musical experience, that is appreciated equally by novices and connoisseurs of South Asian music. His melodies transcend regional boundaries, and is accessible to all. Khan played only the most popular and familiar raags like Darbari, Yaman, Jaijaivanti, Pilu, Bhairaivi, and Achoob raags.

The great tabla player Ustad Abdul Sattar Khan Tari, belonging to the Punjab Gharana of Tabla players, is a disciple of Ustad Mian Shokat Hussain Khan, a legendary Tabla player of the sub-continent. Tari started his career by accompanying great singers like Mehdi Hassan Ghulam Ali, Pandit Jasraj, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Roshan Ara Begum.

Later he developed an interest in singing, after receiving training from Mehdi Hassan, became an accomplished singer as well. The audience was awestruck when his performance started.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 18^th, 2021.