Shakir Khan - Success in Music Will Come to Those Who Patiently Prepare Themselves and Then Grace the Stage With Glory (Musician)

 Have faith in your art, follow the teachings of your Guru, and embrace pure and authentic music.

 1. Tell us more about your background and journey.

   I am fortunate to be the 8th generation of the legendary Imdadkhani Gharana of Surbahar and Sitar. Witnessing my father, Padmashree Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan, playing the sitar has always been inspiring and motivates me to work harder. The journey is ongoing, as the pursuit of learning in music is continuous. It's often said that you are always learning, and I find myself in that perpetual process.

2. When did you first decide you wanted to pursue music, and how did you start?

   Rather than me choosing to pursue music, it felt like music chose me. The sitar has been a generational heritage, and my childhood memories are filled with Ustadji playing the sitar. I recall him bringing a small sitar that I could barely hold. That marked the beginning of my practice, and that's how my musical journey commenced.

3. Who is your favorite artist and why?

   It's practically impossible for me to pick a single artist. Numerous artists inspire me, each with their unique art and style. Every artist is great in their own right. If I had to name a few, it would be Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, Ustad Vilayat Khan, Kishori Amonkar ji, and Ustad Zakir Hussain.

4. Can you throw some light on opportunities one gets as a singer?

   Opportunities can come your way, but sometimes, you need to create them. Deepen your art, trust the teachings of your Guru, believe in the process and rigorous practice. Opportunities will present themselves if you are truly deserving. With the aid of social media, artists can showcase their talents to the entire world.

5. Is formal training required, or can one train themselves purely on the basis of talent?

   This is a specialized art form. While talent is essential, it's not sufficient on its own. Learning from the right Guru is crucial. We believe in the traditional Gurukul system, where we not only understand music but also imbibe the way of living from our Guru. Talent is sufficient for personal satisfaction, but to become a professional artist, formal training is necessary.

6. What piece of advice would you like to give to future and aspiring artists?

   My advice to aspiring artists is to adhere to the rules and traditions. Have faith in your art, follow the teachings of your Guru, and embrace pure and authentic music. Success in music will come to those who patiently prepare themselves and then grace the stage with glory.

7. Which is your favorite book, and why?

   "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho is one of my favorite reads. The way the boy crosses the desert and handles his experiences teaches valuable lessons. I find the symbolism relatable to the journey of an artist, emphasizing the importance of believing in blessings and values.

Bio

Shakir Khan is one of the most promising young exponents of the legendary Etawah Gharana, energetically following in the musical footsteps of his prodigious father and guru — the sitar maestro Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan. Indeed, Shakir represents the eighth generational link in an unbroken chain of musical talent and tradition poured exclusively into the sitar and surbahar. 

A chain that includes, besides Ustadji, the musical legacy of Ustad Aziz Khan (Shakir’s paternal grandfather), and that of the patriarchal surbaharist Ustad Wahid Khan (Shakir’s great-grandfather). Great Ustad Vilayat Khan is his grand uncle.

As might be expected from such a pedigreed musician, his talent surfaced early in life, Shakir giving his first public performance at the age of eleven. Talent, however, is not enough to master the Indian classical tradition, and under the careful tutelage of his father, Shakir matured gradually through study, countless hours dedicated to practice (riyaaz) and frequent recitals. 

The work paid off, and in recent years Shakir has performed brilliantly for prestigious music conferences in India including the Dover Lane Music Conference (Kolkata), Sawai Gandharva music festival Pune. the Saptak Music Festival (Ahmedabad), Bombay Festival (Mumbai), the Tansen Music Festival (Gwalior), the Shankarlal Music Festival (Delhi) and many more. He has also performed extensively worldwide, bringing the joy and subtlety of the Etawah Gharana to audiences in the US, Canada and Europe – the latter including a performance at the famous Woodstock Festival in Poland in 2008.

His growth as a musician has allowed Shakir to accompany his father on stage on many occasions – a father-son duet that veritably explodes with energy . Shakir’s talent has also found official recognition, the young sitar virtuoso winning a Government of India merit scholarship and first prize at the All India Radio (AIR) Music Competition.

Like his father, Shakir Khan stands out for his exquisite sense of sur (melody) and laya (rhythm). He has equally been blessed with a seductive stage presence that quickly wins an audience over to his musical voice. Shakir is an incredibly warm, charismatic and open young person who has ably adapted his classical knowledge and skill in international fusion projects like the European Jazz ensemble called “Taalism”, Germany and “Human Evolution” , Spain . For this reviewer, however, Shakir is most to be treasured as the highly talented repository of one of the world’s oldest and greatest classical traditions. Shakir Khan performance will both inspire and astonish any attentive audience.

Interviewed by - Siddhi Pancholi

Edited by- Arunangshu Chatterjee