With A Good Intent

By Sidhaant Sharma, *Maestro's new move* - The Hindu - Chennai, India
Sunday, June 20, 2010

Ustad Shujaat Hussain Khan, celebrated sitar maestro, talks about his debut as a film music composer

Referred to as the greatest North Indian classical musician of his generation, Ustad Shujaat Hussain Khan is indeed a master of folk music and poetry.

Belonging to the Imdad Khan gharana of the sitar, he belongs to the seventh generation of musicians in family that boasts some of the greatest names in Hindustani music.

He is, without a doubt, a celebrated personality in the foreign arena with almost 50 musical releases and various laurels conferred on him by many Indian and international organisations.

And now the master steps into the Indian film industry as the music composer of the upcoming Hindi movie Mr Singh Mrs. Mehta.

Excerpts from a conversation with the maestro:

Can you tell us about the songs of the movie?

The movie has five ghazals, all very beautiful and soul-touching. Throughout my life, I have never been allowed to present the things that I associate with. I have never been asked to present what I am. This movie has given me chance to do so and the first two or three songs, especially, are in every sense, a part f my soul. I personally feel that the words and the tune have come together in every song, making the songs all the more beautiful.

Tell us about the singers associated with the songs of the movie

I have sung a song “Ae Khuda”. Besides this, there is a song sung by Roop Kumar Rathod. Also, Shreya Ghosal and K.K. have sung two versions of the same song. We have focused on different characterisation of each and every song. I feel that the music should be the base of the story and it should have the ability to tell the whole story on its own.

You are known for a unique voice suited for both folk music as well as poetry. So, do the songs of the movie have a mixture of both?

Absolutely, the songs do contain both the elements. Besides these two, there are elements of Geet, Ghazal and Sufi as well.

“Mr. Singh Mrs. Mehta” is a story based in London. Given that you had to fit in classical music, were you ever in two minds?

Never. This was never an issue since everyone involved with the movie had a clear outlook that the story was about Indian people. The thinking and the ideology is purely Indian. Hence, there was never a thought of being in two minds.

Nowadays, the phenomenon of ‘Rock Sufi' is in vogue. What it would be your take on that?

Some people with a hardcore approach may denounce that trend. But, I, for one would say that no music is bad as such. It is the extent to which that music touches your soul which makes it good or bad for you.

Elements of modernity are bound to come in with the advent of time. But, anything that is done to the music with a good intent is always welcome.

You are a celebrated artist in the foreign arena and now, you have made your Bollywood debut as well. So, what is the next step?

I am on the verge of finishing an album with Asha Bhosle in which the two of us are composing. There is one composition from my son as well. It is slated for a July release.

Picture: Sitar exponent Ustad Shujaat Khan. Photo: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar/The Hindu