I finally met Shujaat Khan at a fusion concert in Atlanta a couple of years ago. He was performing with Persian legend Kayhan Kalhor and Sandeep Das, a tabla player par excellence. What struck me instantly was his warmth, sense of humor and the candor with which he spoke of his life and his troubled relationship with his father. Kayhan Kalhor who walked in and heard part of the conversation, looked quite stunned and said, “You are being so candid, in front of someone from the media?” With the conditions in Iran being what they are Kalhor probably had a hard time identifying with such candor even though it related to an artist’s life and not his political beliefs. That day I discovered that what you see is what you get as far as Shujaat Khan is concerned and though the interview created quite a stir he has marched to his own beat.

The interview also made me realize that walking the path carved by your forefathers is certainly not the glamorous business it seems, on the surface. That path is strewn by literal blood sweat and tears. Your fingers bleed strumming the strings endlessly only to be told after 8 hours, as you are on the verge of collapse with sheer exhaustion, that it isn’t good enough. Shujaat talked about toiling away, tears streaming down his face as morning turned into twilight and night turned to dawn, and yet just as he was about to crack his father would stop him just in the nick of time. They would sit outside as the sun rose watching the mountains reflecting those first rays. His father would share stories of music, of a particular raga, and Shujaat would forget his fatigue and pain and listen mesmerized.

That evening of the first interview, Shujaat Khan also mesmerized an audience of multiple ethnicities as he led Kayhan Kalhor and Sandeep Das in a wonderful concert. What stood out was the generosity with which he shared the stage with the other two giving them ample opportunity to showcase their talent, how he openly applauded them and how much every one enjoyed playing along side each other.

A few months ago I was in Michigan. I had been speaking to Shujaat Khan for several days and I had no clue that the weekend I was in Michigan he was performing in Toronto. When I found out I fought with him for not telling me he was performing close by. With his usual humility he said I feel very uncomfortable telling my friends, come watch me play. I said may be you should remember that none of us would have a problem with tasting a slice of musical heaven whenever we can. His punishment for not telling me I said was that he play one of my favorite ragas-raga Darbari in the second half. I had my passport fedexed and drove to Toronto along with some other students/admirers of his.

That concert turned out to be the perfect concert. The audience comprised of true music lovers. It was Eid and Dusshera and yet people packed the hall. Shujaat Khan was in a sentimental, nostalgic mood. His father had passed away a few months ago and he talked of how when he plays, flashes of things his father taught him seem to be coming back even more so now. Before the second half he grumbled back stage in mock complaint..this is my life. I’m being asked to play a tough raga like Darbari in my old age!

Then he came on stage and said he has to serve a punishment before a contingent that had specially driven in from Michigan to hear the performance. People laughed and then applauded our presence there, because we had braved construction and rain along the way and shown up there.

Five minutes later the haunting beauty, the soul of raga Darbari rose through his strings. When he ended, there were very few dry eyes in the auditorium. I have since then seen Shujaat Khan play again, but the memory of that night still comes alive when I listen to a recording I had made on my little tape recorder and I still shake my head and think how fortunate I’m to be listening to such an artist in my life time. I think it’s also interesting to see how much like his father he is. He says it like it is but if he likes you Shujaat Khan is your friend for life. I just have to send an email or call him and he is right there to help. He is a super mimic, and I have spent hours laughing at his wise cracks. He is always surrounded by people, beautiful women who have a crush on him, and I see the warmth and diplomacy with which he puts them in their place without being rude. I see the pride with which he talks about his beautiful wife Parveen and how she keeps it all together as he spends months touring, how well she has brought up their two kids Fiza and Azaan. He refused to push them into music and burden them with talks of carrying on the family legacy. He is terribly proud of some of his students who he says will do that one day for his gharana. The cut throat world of show business will wilt his children and he doesn’t intend rewriting history through them. Nor does he spend sleepless nights wishing that his name be written in golden letters alongside those of other music legends. 

His latest offering Beyond Love is his contribution towards the dream of bringing India and Pakistan together. Music transcends all barriers and Beyond Love is a beautiful bouquet of touching lyrics by the famous poet Qateel Shifai(Jagjit Singh sings a lot of Qateel Shifai) Shujaat Khan’s renditions on sitar and vocals are entwined with recitation of words that haunt by Pakistani poet, playwright and author Anila Arshad.

The world is his stage, his talent undeniable, but what makes him so interesting is that Shujaat Khan has remained human and approachable. He has walked the path of his forefathers, but created his own brand of shoes.

(For more details on Shujaat Khan’s new cd ‘Beyond Love’ go to Kavitamedia.com)

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these columns are solely those of the writers and do not necessarily represent those of the editor/publisher.