The centennial man

“Life is an ocean,an abyss. It has no definitive beginning,no complete end…it just goes on and there is so much to learn,to do,to see.” Even today,as he takes the centre stage,his heart skips a beat. He prays,for a flawless rendition,one which would make his gurus proud of him. “We had relentless gurus and critics who wouldn’t spare even one mistake! I remember how my grandfather was allowed to sing in public after practising for 22 years at home. Today,all vocalists do is learn four to six khayals and sing. They are impatient and crave for instant gratification,” says the centennial man,emphasising on how Khayal should have the Dhrupadang in it,how a raga is first chosen,then taken through the shabdavali,the vaad samvaad and finally the taal after which,one composes a bandish.

“My grandfather and father; Bade Yusuf Khan Saab and Chhote Yusuf Khan Saab always thought that music would come difficulty to me,but after an experience,I proved I could sing too and I never looked back,” while Ustadji prefers to keep that incident a secret,he gave his heart and soul to a tradition that demands a lifetime of riyaaz and sacrifice. “That’s what I tell my students too…stay grounded,never leave your riyaaz,always believe in hardwork,stay away from addictions and never nurse illusions.”

At 104,his body might look frail but it compensates in spirit,in a powerhouse of a voice that can still reverberate through walls. “There are times when I fumble and tend to forget,but I have my disciples to help me out,” he smiles. From US based Ford Foundation,BBC London to albums,books,ustadji has been credited by all. The ‘badshah of farmaish compositions’,he is the original,oldest living legend in the realm of Hindustani vocal music. “Do you know,every raga has life? They have the power to move the sun and the stars,and singing them at the wrong time and hour only hurts their very existence,” he asks,tells the audience why raga Bhairon should not be sung at night and raga Malhar on a sunny day.

After a century of singing,ask ustadji what have these hundred years been like,and he warms up,“Life,for me,has been a beautiful composition of a million memorable moments.”

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