‘Music has no religion’

of Lord Krishna and Hindu traditions

Lilting melodies in praise of Lord Krishna,Alexander the Great and local maharajas will soon fill the city air. After performing in Russia,Germany,Australia,Sweden,Norway and across different states in the country,the celebrated Manganiar Bhutte Khan and his team of musicians is set to perform at College of Engineering Pune,today.

“I love coming back to Pune and performing here. The audience here understands music more than anywhere else in the world,” says Dutte Khan.,who was part of their first performance in the city,that was held at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) on August 28.

“If you are really good,they will applaud and appreciate you and if you are not that good then they will provide constructive criticism,” he adds.

The concerts,organised by SPICMACAY,are aimed at encouraging the diversity of performing arts and culture in the city. Bhutte Khan leads his group as a vocalist along with Multan Khan and Nehru Khan,while Chanan Khan plays the kamaycha,a 17-stringed bow instrument,Anwar Khan plays the harmonium,Bhutta Khan plays the dholak and Mustaque Khan plays a sitara,a wind instrument similar to a flute. The highly talented Muslim folk singers from the Thar desert region were patronised by Hindu maharajas and wealthy merchants to perform during festivals like Holi and Diwali as well as at weddings,births and other joyous occasions. “We invoke Krishna before our performances. We are grateful to the Hindu community for keeping our traditions alive. It is because of their patronage that we could perform and flourish. Our heritage is our music and music has no religion,” says 35-year-old Bhutte Khan,adding,”Like Sufi music,the demand for Manganiar music is increasing around the world.”

(The performance will begin at 6 pm at COEP)