08 What Changes Would You Like - USTAD LATAFAT ALI KHAN Q&A

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I don’t think there is any scope for change in Semi Classical or Pure Classical music. They are already huge institutes by themselves, and they are both given equal regard today. Semi Classical puts heavy emphasis on Raag too, when presenting Ghazals, Kaafis or Thumris. There have been some changes however for commercial purposes. Commercial Sufi music is a prime example. They have changed the musical basics of it for commercial gain. There have been some changes however for commercial purposes. Commercial Sufi music is a prime example. They have changed the musical basics of it for commercial gain. In a way it is good as it makes it more accessible to a wider audience. But notes, timing and the feeling must be maintained. It is the same in Raag performances. Some people perform Taans that just put people off. It has to be soothing, with few good Taans. Ustad Salamat Ali Khan, Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Ustad Amir Khan, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Amaar Gundharaf, these and many other knew the value of Classical music and utilised it with respect. Ustad Barkat Ali Khan used to perform Thumris and Kaafis but utilised a of Classical music principles. Ustad Barkat Ali Khan used to perform mainly Thumris and Kaafis but were heavily Classical. The legendary Ustad Ashiq Ali Khan of the Patiala Gharana and other legends from even before I was born, that our elders used to tell us about. Ustad Tanrus Khan, Patiala Gharana’s Jarnal Khan, Ustad Fateh Ali Khan, these were true singers who performed pure Classical music. Changing it will not improve it in anyway. It is wrong to deter from it’s purity. Especially with Raags. If you are singing a 5 or 6 or 7 note Raag, stay within those notes. But in Ghazals, which are based on Raags, adding those extra notes do give them an additional beauty. But you still need to be a learnt singer, and I hope upcoming singers invest in this education. Our Gharana’s next generations are mainly singing Classical music. My nephews Nadir Ali Khan, Faizan Ali Khan, Aris Ali Khan, Shujat Ali Khan, Chand Khan, Suraj Khan are mainly performing Classical music. Then there’s Patiala Gharana’s Inaam Ali Khan, Nayab Ali Khan are truly the future of Classical music. They have sacrificed a lot otherwise they would mainly be Pop artists. Not to say they don’t dabble in it for promotional purposes. But whoever learns Classical music will be a long term artist and not a one-hit wonder.