Percussionist Taufiq Qureshi and sarod playing siblings Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash discuss a childhood prank of calling maestros for a daawat and hoodwinking Trump because the Americans overlook Qureshis for Khans
Brothers Ayaan and Amaan Ali Bangash engage in a free jam session with percussionist Taufiq Qureshi at Pondicherry Cafe, Sofitel in BKC. PICS/Nimesh Dave
"Have you landed? Has the car picked you up? Come on, you know BKC, you've been here before," says Ayaan Ali Bangash, the younger son of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, to his brother, Amaan, over a call. Amaan has just landed from New Delhi. Taufiq Qureshi joins us and waits with Ayaan at the lunch buffet of Pondicherry Cafe, a fine dine in Sofitel.
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Their families have been friends for generations. "I have played with Ustad ji (Amjad Ali Khan), Ayaan and Amaan. Before Amaan walks in, we can chat over alaap [the starters]," says the 53-year-old percussionist and younger brother to tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain.
The sarod players are set to release an electronic album tracing the journey of the sarod from the rubab (a musical instrument from central Afghanistan) while Qureshi is working on a single, where the beats come from instruments made out of waste materials.
Wriddhaayan: What is your equation with each other?
Taufiq: We are like brothers. My father [Ustad Allarakha Qureshi] played with his grandfather, Hafiz Ali Khan sahib, and Amjad bhai.
Ayaan: We had backstage access to the concerts. We were taught to go and speak to musicians, touch their feet and seek blessings.
Taufiq: On several occasions, we have decided what to play on stage itself. There weren't any rehearsals. When they play Classical, they stick to the pure form, respecting the gravity of their lineage. There is a track called Blessings [by the brothers], which I really like.
Ayaan: Whenever we have performed that track with Taufiq bhai, he has added colour to it. We were barely in our teens when we shared the stage with Ustad Zakir Hussain; he didn't need to do it. In 1999, at Saptak festival in Ahmedabad, Allarakha ji played before us because he wanted to. Then, he watched the whole concert from the wings.
Wriddhaayan: Were you naughty as kids?
Ayaan: Amaan bhai used to get into more trouble. Abba never had a temper. He would simply ask us to go out of the room, but our mother smacked us. Both of us used to prank call musicians [I am not taking names]. Once, we sent a musician to another musician's house for dinner. We picked up the phone and said, 'Dawaat hai, aa jaiye.' (laughs)
Taufiq: Talking about memories, I remember Zakir bhai would take me on a cycle to St Michael's High School in Mahim. He was a brilliant dhol player. During fairs, he would go and join the band in processions. I used to tag along. To ensure I wasn't lost, he would take me up on his shoulders. (Food arrives)
Taufiq: (Tasting the Prawn and Mixed Seafood Dimsums) Wow! This is really good. Generally, I like chicken for its protein.
Ayaan: I customised the salad. It is healthy after green tea.
(Amaan arrives, and brings a plate of Stir-Fried Chicken and Prawns and Roasted Chicken)
Wriddhaayan: Why don't you two compose for films?
Ayaan: Now, there is a gap between classical musicians and Bollywood. Directors seem to be comfortable with this.
Taufiq: When you are composing for films, you need to listen to the producer's assistant too. You need to make seven tunes for one song. I would never be able to do it. I've had offers but I couldn't execute them.
(The conversation veers to social media)
Ayaan: At times, it gets too much. One guy made a trailer of the Dover Lane Music Concert and put up a disclaimer, 'Full concert coming up'. Imagine. Now, artistes can't repeat their own tunes.
Taufiq: I can't even repeat a kurta! They'll watch a video of a previous concert and say he's worn the same one.
Amaan: Social media also has a negative side. Whenever Sanjay Dutt is going to jail, there are cameras outside his house; not when it is his birthday.
Wriddhaayan: All of you tour a lot in the US. What is your take on Trump's ban on Muslim-majority nations?
Taufiq: That reminds me, San Francisco airport is shut due to protests against Trump. Bhabhi ji (Antonia Minnecola, Zakir Hussain's wife) is stuck.
Ayaan: Amaan bhai and I never had a problem checking in at airports because we write Bangash in our surname.
Taufiq: even I didn't have a problem. Zakir bhai and Amjad bhai have had to face issues because they write Khan and Hussain. The Americans aren't aware of Qureshis.
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