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In conversation with

USTAD MASHKOOR ALI KHAN

Fahmim Ferdous
Ustad Mashkoor Ali Khan was initiated into music and trained for 15 years by his father, the great sarangi-nawaz Shakoor Khan, and secured a place in the world of music very early in life. After his father's demise, he joined the ITC-Sangeet Research Academy as a scholar, to polish and hone his undiluted style of Kirana gayakee. Now, as a guru of the Academy, he nurtures several scholars under his able wings. The Salt Lake Cultural Association honoured him with the title of'Bandish Nawaz' in 1998.
He was one of the performing artistes at last year's Bengal ITC-SRA Classical Music festival, and spoke to The Daily Star about his gharana of music, the talent in Bangladesh and his experiences as a guru. Excerpts:
What is it like to be in Bangladesh?
Mashkoor Ali Khan: I have come here a lot of times; to perform, as well as to teach. It has become like a family to me here. I have a number of students here, including Rezwanul Haq, Anup Barua and Shaheen Samad. They
are like family members of mine, and I miss them when I am in India.
You have been given the title of "Bandish-nawaz", and it is said that no one has as many bandish as you do. Tell us a little bit about that.
Mashkoor Ali Khan: There's no end to learning and creating new music. I've been given this title with love and respect, and I feel honoured for it, but the
award really goes to my seniors who I've got all the bandish from. I am ever-grateful to them for the music over the years.
You've been a guru to many musicians here; what do you make of the musical talent in Bangladesh?
Mashkoor Ali Khan: Yes, I have come here to teach, but I wish I could stay for long periods of time. Fifteentwenty days are really not enough, and one has to stay
a month or two if they have to give proper training. Sometimes maybe the student comes to India, or one of my students comes here. I believe that a musical environment is very important for proper talim. I was trained in a gurukul or musical tutelage. The atmosphere helps music to be absorbed in the heart and brain. The more a student can stay close to their guru, the more benefited they will be.
Tell us a little about your gharana of music.
Mashkoor Ali Khan: I belong to the Kirana gharana. My father, sarangi-nawaz and vocalist Ustad Shakoor Khan trained me from a very young age. Abdul Wahid Khan and Abdul Karim Khan, the pioneers of this gharana, were my forefathers. I'm just carrying on the tradition.
It is a beautiful gharana in itself. The variety of the sargam in our style of music is exceptional. Ustad Amir Khan and Rajab Ali Khan also belong to this school, along with Miya Bande Ali Khan and many others. This gharana has more followers than others, mainly because it can be sung comfortably by male and female singers alike.