Music can play a major role in promoting peace between Pakistan and India, said Ustad Naseeruddin Saami, eminent classical vocalist from Karachi, Pakistan. Speaking to this paper ahead of his performance at the SPICMACAY national convention at Ravenshaw University on Saturday, he said soulful music can unite people across the boundaries.Saami’s slender frame and soft voice radiated pride while discussing his musical lineage. “I was born in Delhi and lost my parents early. My uncle Ustad Munshi Raziuddin, a great religious scholar and versatile genius, groomed me. I also follow Ustad Sardar Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed and Piaray Khan. My ancestor Miyan Samaat was a disciple of Hazrat Amir Khusrau,” said the Ustad.In his style of singing, the stress is more on the purity of ragas. “We stress upon shudh baani and pristine purity of ragas. Ragas demand sur (elongated melody of notes with microtones) emitting from chain (leisure) and sukoon (serenity). For instance, Darbari completely loses its character in taans. I do not go beyond its introductory alap and bol-vistar (raga elaboration with lyrical phrases of the composition) in slow tempo,” he said. As for the slow tempo - one beat spreads over four; Ek tala’s 12 beats, therefore, are actually 48 beats now. To strike a balance ‘sur par qayaam karo (establish sur); larzish kam karo(swirl less). Otherwise it makes no sense”, the Ustad explained.He said in sharp contrast to the hectic modern lifestyle, youngsters are charmed by tranquillity. “Numerous students, including girls, are being trained by me at Karachi and Lahore. My four sons and nephew are also faring well,” he added.Happy with the present music trend in Pakistan, he admitted to have struggled for almost half a century. “I debuted at 13, entered the professional arena with raga Puria at YMCA, Karachi in ’65 but recognition came only recently. At 64, now I am travelling far and wide, winning accolades and followers - most are learning for the heck of it. But we stick to our (man to man) method of imparting training.” The Ustad’s first India-tour in ’63 led to many others later because “one gets an opportunity to sing before discerning listeners in great numbers many of whom are feted musicians, musicologists and scholars. “Aaapki mohabbaten humko bulaati hain,” said Sami.As a piece of advice for the younger generation, the Ustad said that they must stress on picking up the right alaap, the most essential quality of a good singer.
Comments
0 comment