Songs in Ordinary Time

“My grandfather Ustad Ghulam Hussain and father Ustad Mohammed Hussain were court musicians and I trained under them. At the age of 21,I joined the royal court. It’s the same you know,the way Indian classical music is performed in Afghanistan,just the language is different,” smiles Sarahang. “Film music too was so popular in the old days — all through the streets of Kabul you could hear Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar’s voice,” reminisces Sarahang,who also performs the Darbari Kanhra,Malkauns,Bhopali and is well-known for his thumri renditions. After the Russians invaded Afghanistan,Sarahang and his family found themselves in Delhi’s Lajpat Nagar,trying to build their lives again. “We moved to Bombay shortly after that. I trained under Ustad Amanat Ali Khan,Ustad Fateh Ali Khan,Ustad Abdul Rehmat Khan,” says Sarahang. After performing across India,Sarahang set off to the US,where he toured extensively. Eventually,he settled down there. “I could reach out to a global audience from America and at the same time,there were many Afghan families who relocated there after ’79,it was almost like home,” he says.

He performed in Kabul this time as well. But times have changed the kind of music being played in Afghanistan. “It is no longer pure — it has become as commercial and manufactured as popular music in India. Reality talent shows have caught on there as well,” says Sarahang. “But these shows don’t produce true artists,they only create performers,” he adds. As a classical vocalist Sarahang feels that the audience is no longer educated about the art. “One way to create a culture that understands,respects and appreciates classical music is to bring it back into our homes. That way,it will resonate for longer,” says Sarahang.

The performance will begin at 6.30 pm today at The Attic,36 Regal Building,Connaught Place.
Contact: 23746050