By Manzar Imam,
If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music, famous scientist Albert Einstein said. Einstein, the physicist had such a high musical vision. His musical dream did materialize, but there was something else in store for him.
But for Ustad Ghulam Husain Khan, music always ran in his blood. He woke up in a musical family, dreamt of music and mastered it under the tutelage of great artists. Son of the eminent classical musician, Padma Bhushan Ustad Mushtaq Hussain Khan of the famed Rampur-Sahaswan gharana, Ustad Ghulam Husain Khan carried on the mantle of his family tradition and one of India’s classical art forms to the next generation and taught some of world’s well-known artists.
Coming from different parts of the world, Ustad Ghulam Husain Khan’s disciples include Mr Balimiki Sharma (USA), Mr Kengo Saito (Paris), Mr Alex Law (Canada), Miss Yael Salomoniwich (Israel), Mr Alen Liu (Hong Kong), Mr D.C. Wijesinha (Sri Lanka), Mr Daniel La Velle (Philippines), Miss Sakshi Sharma (Delhi), Smt. Madhumita Roy (Delhi), Mr Ghulam Abbas Khan (Mumbai), Shri Ranjeet Jha (Patna), Mr Sajid Khan (Banaras), Master Areeb Khan Niazi of Zee TV’s Chote Ustad fame (Rampur), Mr Anthony Fernandez (Australia). And the list does not end here.
The Rampur-Sahaswan gharana occupies a pre-eminent position among many schools of Khayaal style that is credited for popularizing Indian classical music in India and abroad. The gharana is considered one of the most authentic successors of Tansen (1506-1589) tradition.
Born on 15 August, 1936 in Rampur district of Uttar Pradesh, Ustad Ghulam Husain Khan is an ‘A’ Grade senior artist. He has been broadcasting in different stations of All India Radio and Doordarshan since 1970. He has given performances on several stages including the prestigious SPICMACAY and Hong Kong Radio Television (RTHK) to popularise music among students and youths.
A leading representative of the gharana, Ustad Khan’s forte includes Khayaal, Tarana and Sadra singing, having at the same time proficiency in different genres of light classical music such as Thumri, Dadra, Ghazal, etc. He has participated and won accolades in numerous music festivals all over India and abroad, and has kept his celebrated father’s reputation alive till today.
A staunch traditionalist and innovative artist, Ghulam Husain Khan is blessed with a vibrant, flawless and versatile rendition and has a vast repertoire of ‘Raag Sagar’ or ‘Raag Malika’, as some call it, passed to him through a rich family tradition. He has acquired them with great riyaz (long-hours of practice). He believes that the profession of music demands time and long-hours of strenuous practice in order to get mastery. He says that artists can help create discord in society.
Speaking about the growing popularity of Western music, Ustad Ghulam Husain Khan says, “Western music can agitate the passions temporarily, but it cannot touch heartstrings.” A great vocalist of guru-shishya (master-disciple) tradition, the Ustad says that the tradition that was a great cultural heritage is now under strains as “commercial mentality” has started taking roots in society.
There is a long list of his disciples from across regions and religious lines whose talent has been acknowledged in the form of awards and honors but the master who trained them remains at the receiving end. The reticent vocalist whose voice has been mesmerizing music lovers for nearly six decades today sits quiet at his home in South Delhi’s Jamia Nagar.
Many small artists have got the coveted Padma awards as a token of their loyalty that they have shown to selectors by adopting shady and sycophant means. But the genius whose performance earned him high accolades in India, Pakistan and far-off Hong Kong has so far not been recongnised. This in fact is a clear dishonor to the profession to which the Ustad gave his sweat and blood.
His silent nature and avoidance of closeness to selectors out of sheer professional dignity are apparent reasons for this lackadaisical approach of the panelists towards the great exponent of Indian classical music. But Ustad Ghulam Husain does not have any grudges. He echoes the same sentiments that his illustrious father did- to get self-respect and the pride of singing, a singer should have feelings like self-discipline and self-sacrifice.
Looking back towards his feats and services in the field of music it is expected that the work of the master genius is acknowledged and the dignity of this classical form of art is upheld.
Newspapers reports give us a glimpse of decades-long services of what Ustad Ghulam Husain Khan stands for: the nature of work that this great genius has rendered and the legacy that he has left in the form of performances and trained disciples.
With anguish writ large on his face, Ghulam Siraj Niazi, elder son of the distinguished artist says, “My father has been rendering his services to the Indian classical music for over five decades. But despite his great contribution to music, he has so far not received any awards, whereas many of his colleagues and contemporary artists with less work have already received several Padma awards”. Mr Niazi shows newspaper clippings and other related available evidences which he gathered with difficulty. They tell the story of his father’s dedication to his profession and his continuous efforts to propagate and promote Indian classical music in India and abroad.
Considering the immense contribution made by my father Ustad Ghulam Husain Saheb to the Indian classical music, “the jurists and panelists should nominate him for this year’s Padma Bhushan award”, Mr Niazi says.
India is a land of myths and mysticism, culture and arts, traditions and beliefs, where music has long been a part of its rich cultural heritage. It is strange that a gifted artist who considers art as a form of worship and values art for the sake of art, should remain unrecognized.
Neglected so far, will the eyes of the selectors recognise the genius? Let’s wait and watch.
(A Delhi-based journalist Manzar Imam cab be reached at [email protected])