The Hindu : New Delhi News : From across the border with love

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Friday, Dec 01, 2006
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New Delhi

From across the border with love

GIFTED: Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan

Taking forward the 300-year-old tradition of spreading love and peace through "Qawwali" form of spiritual music, Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is now here in the Capital to build on the legacy of his late uncle Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

At a press conference on Thursday, Rahat said he was overwhelmed by the warm reception he has been getting during performances in different parts of India. "People here really appreciate music because they understand the language. Nowhere in the world have I got such a good response," he said, adding that music was playing a great role in bridging the gap between the peoples of India and Pakistan.

Blaming "politics" for Partition, Rahat expressed the hope that music would one day blur the dividing lines. He expressed happiness that several upcoming singers from both countries were showing an inclination towards "Sufi" music.

Rahat -- who has given super hit numbers like "Man Ki Lagan" and "Jiyya Dhadak Dhadak Jaye" in Mahesh Bhatt films "Paap" and "Kalyug" respectively, and "Naina Thag Laingay" in "Omkara" -- said his latest album "Charkha" would be released soon. "The album has in it certain elements of fusion music but not at the cost of the basic traits of Qawwali," he said.

An exponent of Hindustani Khayal Gayaki, Rahat started training in classical singing under his uncle at the age of seven and gave his first stage performance at the age of 11. Under the guidance of his uncle, he gave performances in different parts of the world for 12 years.

Rahat performed at Siri Fort auditorium on Thursday evening. The concert was organised by Indian Women's Press Corps in coordination with Indian Council For Cultural Relations and Routes-2-Roots, a non-government organisation that promotes bilateral relations between India and its neighbouring countries through cultural exchange.

Stating that efforts were being made to bring people from both sides of the border closer through cultural ties, ICCR Director General Pavan Varma said it was not very difficult as both countries shared the same cultural heritage. "It is not a matter of what separates us, but what unites us," he said, adding that ICCR had in the recent past organised many such functions -- Devesh K. Pandey

-- Devesh K. Pandey

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