Hindustani invasion of Atlanta

The evening was for those awaiting a dip in the vast oeuvre of 'Hindustani gayaki', writes Meeta Chaitanya.

Music is the window to one's soul, it is often said. One would believe it without demur after listening to the velvet tenor and timbre of Ustad Rashid Khan's musical odyssey. Atlanta played host to the Hindustani classical vocalist's evocative performance on Saturday, the 9th of July.

The event organized at Berkmar High School by proponents of Indian classical music in Atlanta, Harmoni Ventures along with India Performing Arts began against a backdrop of enveloping rains courtesy Hurricane Dennis moving upward from Florida.

As yet, it is just a humble, nascent harbinger of more thunderous days to come, and only foreshadowed a pleasant evening, made better still thanks to the mesmerizing performance of the artist and the warm show put up by the organizers.

For those in the know, Ustad Rashid Khan is the leading exponent of classical Indian music in the country today and has contributed richly to Hindustani classical music over the years that he has been performing to the joy of awestruck admirers all over the world. Ardent followers therefore, had been looking forward to this live performance for quite some time.

For those who were keenly awaiting a dip in the vast oeuvre of 'Hindustani gayaki', the concert proved to be the preliminary lesson in a journey that is likely to last a lifetime. Such was the claim made by the more impassioned followers of music here. To much extent, they were right.

The artist, Ustad Rashid Khan who has been lauded by none other than Pt Bhimsen Joshi as "an assurance for the future of Indian vocal music" has also been acknowledged universally as the protector and promoter of the riveting tradition of Hindustani vocal music by discerning connoisseurs of the art form. Saturday's concert bore testimony to the fact that the claim made by both the maestro and the audience was largely justified.

Rashid Khan, who is as young as his voice is experienced, is from the Rampur Sahaswan Khayal Gharana of Uttar Pradesh. His singular contribution is said to be the endowment of sensitivity and emotional appeal into his musical rendition of the khayal. The melodic form, hitherto considered a carefully orchestrated and technically correct elaboration has been imbued with depth and character by Khan.

Khan's expertise in the unique interpretation of sargam taankari has also earned him plaudits over the years. Needless to say, his taankari was applauded by the audience; it was both forceful and timed to perfection.

Since the organisers expected, and rightly so, the audience to be enthralled by the evening's performance they had timed the event well. Refreshments, including delectable Indian snacks as vada, jalebi and mango and kesar pista ice creams were offered before the concert began, and once the audience was seated, the feasting was well beyond over.

While the redolent magic of ragas and rasas by itself is reminiscent of the great legacy of India, the fact that the event was conducted parallel to a casual, homely gathering added even more pizzazz to the exceptional concert. An instance of this exuberant warmth was that Mr Mustafa Ajmeri, the person primarily responsible for the event ensured that patrons were comfortable by walking up to groups of people and making sure they were well looked after.

As for the vocalist, even though his journey on stage began with minor hiccups and snags such as his own discomfort with the lighting and the microphones, it concluded with an ambience at peace with itself and the world outside. In keeping with the need of the hour, Khan improvised his trademark tarana in khayal style with 'shanti rasa' (invoking not just Almighty's blessings but also peace for the world).

Indeed, Ustad Rashid Khan's vocal prowess and range, his stylistic variation and creativity are a sign of as scintillating a legacy behind him as the one he is going to leave behind.