‘So long as the shehnai is with me, what need do I have for anything else?’

• Khan saheb, you have never differentiated between religions, you believe all are one.

They are one, absolutely one. It’s impossible for there to be division. This voice you hear, it’s that that we call sur.

• I heard you once had an argument with a maulana from Iraq. He said music was blasphemy, and you made him understand that music is also a means to God.

Yes, I set him right…It was nothing. He said music is evil, a trap of the devil, and you mustn’t fall into it. I said to him: Maulana, all I ask is that you be fair. Then I started singing, and when I finished I asked if this was blasphemy.

• You reached out to Allah through music. What did the maulana say then?

He was speechless, he had nothing left to say. I told him not to fall into these errors. I asked him if taking Allah’s name in the raag was wrong-that was all I was saying, though it was in Raag Bhairav.

• So there is no difference between Hindu and Muslim in music, all music goes to one end?

Yes, that same Bhairav I sang, any number of Hindus would agree that it was Raag Bhairav.

• Khan saheb, among your contemporaries, you’re in a league of your own. When you got the Bharat Ratna, no one was in disagreement, everyone said it was long overdue.

Look, this is the tool I use (holds up shehnai)-it is very dear to me.

• You keep it with you always, you sleep with it near you.

Yes I do. This is such a thing that when I lift it, I start thinking from my heart. As I said, the stones are the same, both inside and out. People sprinkle gangajal inside, but they never make an offering outside. I put my hand on the stones outside.

• Khan saheb, all your contemporaries have made so much money — they’ve built huge homes, they have several cars, they live abroad. And here you are: still in your old neighbourhood, living so simply at your old home. Have you ever had regrets?

No, none. Here’s what I say — if anyone wants to meet me, they will have to come here. I will not go anywhere, whether it’s for a raja, a maharaja or anyone else. If I’m not in the mood, I won’t go anywhere for any amount of money. Look, this is my means (touches shehnai to forehead). By the grace of God, when this is in my hands, all the wealth of the world could be brought to me, and I’d say: Get about your business, take it away. So long as this one thing is with me, what need do I have for anything else?

• No one should be grasping, agreed. But don’t you think it would have been better, with your large family, if you had organised your records and performances, built a house, accumulated some wealth?

Yes, I have a family — but it isn’t in my nature, all this nonsense. Is there no joy in music-is it all to be this foolishness? There is beauty in my voice—I could sing, and after a while there would be tears in your eyes.

• Everyone who hears you has tears in their eyes, and while they cry, they laugh as well.

Yes, but that doesn’t happen for money.

• Khan saheb, the world has started talking about ‘Islamic terrorism’, as though terror were intrinsic to Islam. Do you feel bad about that?

No, it’s not like that. Didn’t I just tell you, there’s only God. I can sing to Allah in Raag Bhairav.

• Khan saheb, tell me — you’re 91 years old. You’re playing still, and there’s a glow in your face. How have you kept your health all these years — your health and your spirit? To look at you would lift a sad man’s heart.

I’ll tell you, it’s not like that. When my wife passed away, I was very disturbed for a year. Everyone wanted me to remarry, but I listened to my heart. I have children, girls-what would become of them? I decided I wouldn’t marry. This is my companion. (picks up shehnai)

• When your begum left, this was by your side?

Yes, this is all I have.

• Your message to the world is that people should think about peace, rhythm and harmony, and they will be freed of their troubles.

Look, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian-whoever they are, they’re all one. Once people realise that and come into harmony with each other, there will be no more division.