If you are an avid Bollywood music fan, you must have heard about the internationally acclaimed Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan Sahab. He was born in 1931 and as a teacher he has trained several noted playback and classical singers. Some of his students include my favourite playback singer of all time Sonu Nigam as well as Shaan, Geeta Dutt and Hariharan. His sons are well known classical vocalists within the Hindi film industry and have worked with legendary music directors like A. R. Rahman.
According to wikipedia, Khan Sahab was awarded the Padma Shri in 1991 followed by Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award of India in 2006.In 2003 he was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award highest Indian recognition given to practicing artists given by Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama. It gives me great pleasure to be interviewing Shadma Khan, the daughter of the living legend as she takes us down memory lane talking about her father's musical career and what it was like growing up in a musically inclined family. Read on to find out more in her words.
1. Firstly Shadma jee, thank you so much for taking time out to be interviewed by me on such short notice. Tell me a little more about your family background and life from childhood until present? What was it like for you as a child growing up in an illustrious world renowned musical family?
It is my pleasure to have been given an opportunity to speak about my beloved father. As a child I remember my father doing his riyaz (music practice) for more than fourteen hours a day. He devoted most of his time to music. I am grateful to God to be born into such a musical environment. While growing up, I got the opportunity to listen to quality music and meet great personalities from the world of music. I am lucky enough to have the same environment even after getting married. My husband Ustad Ghulam Abbas Khan is a renowned Ghazal, Sufi and Hindustani Classical Vocalist. So, nothing much has changed after getting married.
2. Did you also have an opportunity to learn music from your dad?
We belong to a conservative background where the women of the household were not encouraged to perform music publicly. So I did not learn music from my father. Also, I was more interested in listening to music rather than performing it. My husband and I do, however, encourage our daughters to learn music and pursue it as a career if they please.
3. Elaborate further on your family's relationship with Sonu Nigam jee.
My father very beautifully breaks down the word ‘Gharana’ into ‘Ghar’ and ‘Ana’ which means ‘coming home’ in Hindi. He considers all his students as his children. Sonu is very dear and near to all of us. He has been learning from Papa since 1997 and has become a very important member of our family. We think of him as our younger brother and even tie him rakhi. (Rakhi is a sacred thread which sisters tie on their brothers’ wrist indicating an eternal bond of love and protection).
4. How did your dad embark on a musical career? Did he learn music from childhood? Is it a gift that is passed down from generation to generation?
Born into a family of traditional musicians, my father breathed music from the very first moment of his life. Having maestros in the family was a huge source of inspiration to him and at the tender age of three, he was initiated into music by his father Ustad Waris Hussain Khansahab and later continued his training under his paternal uncle, another renowned vocalist, Ustad Fida Hussain Khan (who was a court musician in Rampur and Baroda Darbars) After his death, Padma Bhushan Ustad Nisar Hussain Khansahab took my father’s charge. Thus, he had his complete taleem (musicial education) at home. Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khansahab started performing vocal music from the age of eight years. He is an approved artist of All India Music since 1949. So yes, music is indeed a gift that is passed down in our family from generation to generation. My father received it from his father and then he passed it down to his sons and now his grandsons.
5. How does an individual become a classical singer? How much of practice is involved and how is this art form taught to students?
To be a Classical Singer, one has to have a lot of patience and perseverance. It requires proper taleem, and hours of vigorous riyaz (practice). The guru teaches his students according to their personal requirements. The guru also assesses their skills from time to time.
6. Is Indian classical music a dying art form or do you think that it is an art form that requires more exposure globally?
No, I do not believe Indian Classical Music to be a dying art form. It has survived and thrived through centuries and is still an important part of India’s heritage. It will live on for many, many centuries to come. It could definitely do better with more global exposure so that more people would get the opportunity to listen and appreciate good music. For this purpose, Indians from all over the world should consider it their responsibility to help this art form flourish more at a global level.
7. If you could be granted one wish and have any skill or talent in the world, what would it be?
If I could, I would love to be an organizer and promote the rich culture and music of my country on a global scale. It has always been a dream since childhood.
8. What are your favourite websites?
I am a full time homemaker and I also manage my husband’s career so I don't get much time to browse through websites. Occasionally, I do go on YouTube to listen to a variety of artists.
9. I understand that your brothers are all classical vocalists. Tell me a little bit more about their musical journey.
My brothers are all very talented vocalists and they are not just limited to Hindustani Classical Vocal but are also accomplished Playback Singers. They have sung several Bollywood songs for AR Rahman and other Music Directors.
10. Does your dad still teach music?
Yes. My father is still an active guru but he teaches very selectively. Sonu Nigam’s son Neevan is among his students.
11. What advice would you give to young aspiring musicians out there?
I’d like advise the young aspiring musicians to have patience, perseverance and to work hard to achieve their goals. Vidya hasil karne ke liye sabr ki zaroorat hoti hai (You have to be patient to achieve education) To be a good musician is to be honest to yourself.
Once again Shadma jee, thank you for agreeing to be interviewed by me . Desert Moon wishes you all the best in your future endeavours!!! This is definitely one of the most inspiring interviews that I have ever done. I am so honoured and proud to have interviewed the daughter of a living legend who has made a positive impact globally through his music whilst the world is engulfed in political turmoil and war. Thank you for giving me this opportunity Shadma jee and hope to meet you one day in Mumbai.
As a side note, Shadma jee mentioned to me via our telephonic conversation that her husband, Ustad Ghulam Abbas Khan teaches music to students throughout the world via skype. If you are interested in learning how to sing on a professional level, feel free to contact Shadmajee through her facebook page.
According to wikipedia, Khan Sahab was awarded the Padma Shri in 1991 followed by Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award of India in 2006.In 2003 he was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award highest Indian recognition given to practicing artists given by Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama. It gives me great pleasure to be interviewing Shadma Khan, the daughter of the living legend as she takes us down memory lane talking about her father's musical career and what it was like growing up in a musically inclined family. Read on to find out more in her words.
1. Firstly Shadma jee, thank you so much for taking time out to be interviewed by me on such short notice. Tell me a little more about your family background and life from childhood until present? What was it like for you as a child growing up in an illustrious world renowned musical family?
It is my pleasure to have been given an opportunity to speak about my beloved father. As a child I remember my father doing his riyaz (music practice) for more than fourteen hours a day. He devoted most of his time to music. I am grateful to God to be born into such a musical environment. While growing up, I got the opportunity to listen to quality music and meet great personalities from the world of music. I am lucky enough to have the same environment even after getting married. My husband Ustad Ghulam Abbas Khan is a renowned Ghazal, Sufi and Hindustani Classical Vocalist. So, nothing much has changed after getting married.
2. Did you also have an opportunity to learn music from your dad?
We belong to a conservative background where the women of the household were not encouraged to perform music publicly. So I did not learn music from my father. Also, I was more interested in listening to music rather than performing it. My husband and I do, however, encourage our daughters to learn music and pursue it as a career if they please.
3. Elaborate further on your family's relationship with Sonu Nigam jee.
My father very beautifully breaks down the word ‘Gharana’ into ‘Ghar’ and ‘Ana’ which means ‘coming home’ in Hindi. He considers all his students as his children. Sonu is very dear and near to all of us. He has been learning from Papa since 1997 and has become a very important member of our family. We think of him as our younger brother and even tie him rakhi. (Rakhi is a sacred thread which sisters tie on their brothers’ wrist indicating an eternal bond of love and protection).
4. How did your dad embark on a musical career? Did he learn music from childhood? Is it a gift that is passed down from generation to generation?
Born into a family of traditional musicians, my father breathed music from the very first moment of his life. Having maestros in the family was a huge source of inspiration to him and at the tender age of three, he was initiated into music by his father Ustad Waris Hussain Khansahab and later continued his training under his paternal uncle, another renowned vocalist, Ustad Fida Hussain Khan (who was a court musician in Rampur and Baroda Darbars) After his death, Padma Bhushan Ustad Nisar Hussain Khansahab took my father’s charge. Thus, he had his complete taleem (musicial education) at home. Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khansahab started performing vocal music from the age of eight years. He is an approved artist of All India Music since 1949. So yes, music is indeed a gift that is passed down in our family from generation to generation. My father received it from his father and then he passed it down to his sons and now his grandsons.
5. How does an individual become a classical singer? How much of practice is involved and how is this art form taught to students?
To be a Classical Singer, one has to have a lot of patience and perseverance. It requires proper taleem, and hours of vigorous riyaz (practice). The guru teaches his students according to their personal requirements. The guru also assesses their skills from time to time.
6. Is Indian classical music a dying art form or do you think that it is an art form that requires more exposure globally?
No, I do not believe Indian Classical Music to be a dying art form. It has survived and thrived through centuries and is still an important part of India’s heritage. It will live on for many, many centuries to come. It could definitely do better with more global exposure so that more people would get the opportunity to listen and appreciate good music. For this purpose, Indians from all over the world should consider it their responsibility to help this art form flourish more at a global level.
7. If you could be granted one wish and have any skill or talent in the world, what would it be?
If I could, I would love to be an organizer and promote the rich culture and music of my country on a global scale. It has always been a dream since childhood.
8. What are your favourite websites?
I am a full time homemaker and I also manage my husband’s career so I don't get much time to browse through websites. Occasionally, I do go on YouTube to listen to a variety of artists.
9. I understand that your brothers are all classical vocalists. Tell me a little bit more about their musical journey.
My brothers are all very talented vocalists and they are not just limited to Hindustani Classical Vocal but are also accomplished Playback Singers. They have sung several Bollywood songs for AR Rahman and other Music Directors.
10. Does your dad still teach music?
Yes. My father is still an active guru but he teaches very selectively. Sonu Nigam’s son Neevan is among his students.
I’d like advise the young aspiring musicians to have patience, perseverance and to work hard to achieve their goals. Vidya hasil karne ke liye sabr ki zaroorat hoti hai (You have to be patient to achieve education) To be a good musician is to be honest to yourself.
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