Ustad Amjad Ali Khan: Didn't want to impose music on you

During our multiple interactions with Ustad Amjad Ali Khan saab the veteran musician would make his displeasure over issues plaguing society evident While in a previous interaction he had lamented the increasing unrest in the country he discusses matters about religion and art in this one Its only fitting then that when drawn into a conversation with sons Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash Khan express concern about their lives too He seems particularly inquisitive about whether they are happy musicians or if their chosen path wasnt entirely one that they desiredAyaan to Amjad What do you think of classical music in India todayIt is satisfying There are talented musicians playing different instruments especially the sarod I think there are 500 sarod players all over the world Also theres a big audience for classical musicAmaan to Amjad What made you teach us music Did you want to see us play the sarod or did you think we truly had the calibreSince music is our wealth I wanted to share it with the two of you I never thought about whether it would be good or bad for your future I just wanted to share what I had inherited from my forefathers Also I didnt want to impose I tried to create interest and saw positive responses Both of you were drawn to it It was a natural growth and hence you became responsible about itWatch the full interview hereAmjad Are you happy playing the sarod or did you want to become perhaps a pilot or something elseAyaan I wanted to play the sarod But I am not happy because there is so much more that I need to do as a musician I dont like the way I play theres ample scope to improve my craftAmaan I enjoy playing the sarod Becoming a doctor or a lawyer would have been the easy way out I would have been satisfied to be in a secure job because creative art is not secure You can be an actor and deliver many hits But if you deliver two flops youre out You can be a musician lose your arm and never do a show again But you cant take a doctors knowledge away People who play safe are doctors lawyers or chartered accountants You take to a safe journey Being a musician is not safe Also when you have a father like Amjad Ali Khan its not easy Amaan to Amjad You have promoted a lot of tabla players many of whom have not been very nice to you Do you think you did the right thingPromotion doesnt make a difference to the Indian audience I may have promoted many but where are they today I gave them a helping hand financially and emotionally But its difficult to digest fame and success All the tabla players that I promoted are not to be seen People of India are choosy You cant impose anybody on them Historically too people have chosen few musiciansAyaan to Amjad How would you explain classical music to a millennial who has no idea what it isIt is our identity it is rooted in Indias history It is because of the contributions of our great masters that classical music exists But listeners must choose to listen to music that appeals to them Every human has a different taste If you listen to music that appeals to you and do so contentiously you can reap the benefitsAmjad What is your lifes mission through classical musicAyaan To play in a way that appeals to me I want to reach out to music lovers and give them peace and solace I hope I can be part of interesting collaborations Music is a spiritual questAmaan Mine is to make a lot of money Its my professionAmjad Is it a profession or a passionAmaan Profession should also be a passion If its not one cant be successful The only difference between a tutor and a lecturer is that the latter is passionate about reaching out to more people I want to be a loved musician I want to travel the world and not take myself too seriously Money means a lot to me since it brings happiness It is important if I want to save someones life in the hospitalAmjad Do you agree with me when I say music has taught us that we belong to every religionAmaan Music doesnt teach you that upbringing does There are a lot of radical musicians and also some who are not nice So upbringing is the important partAyaan Also individuals are not who they are because of music alone but also because of what they imbibe during their journeyAmaan to Amjad Why do we hear more of your father than your mother in articlesThis is unfortunate Even in schools today they only ask the name of the father We say India is Bharat mata but mata doesnt get the kind of respect she needs Every school should ask names of both parents A lady who gives birth is the childs first guru Your mother is Subhalakshmi Barua Khan mine is Rahat Jahan and so we belong to every religionAyaan to Amjad Do you think it is justified for a student to be disappointed in the guruEveryone has the right to be disappointed I taught many students for free Unfortunately many students come with their own agendasAmaan to Amjad According to you why did someone like Pandit Ravi Shankar have more students than Ustad Vilayat Khan saab even though both were great musicians Why do some gurus make great students while others dontRavi Shankar ji was fortunate I hope you believe in destiny Ravi Shankar ji became the face of music all over the world Sometimes the guru is a wise person It also depends on the determination of the disciple Students if they are wellwishers of the guru achieve their goal The blessing of the guru is important Few students wish well for the guru most come to them with an agenda of reaching out to someone famousCatch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates