| Ustad Sabri Khan |
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Sarangi is one of the oldest Indian instrument. It is being played since time immemorial. Temples have reverberated with the sounds of Sarangi purifying the atmosphere. Around 35-40 strings constitute the Sarangi which in turn churn out the musical notes. There are not many Sarangi players in India. However, there is a gharana which is still active in the field and has been promoting Sarangi not only in India, but even abroad. The Sabri family hailing from the Senia Gharana of Rampur, Moradabad district, Uttar Pradesh has been in the field for generations. Padmashree Ustad Sabri Khan, his son Kamal Sabri and grandson Suhail Khan have kept the musical flame aglow. The three generations of the gharana would perform together at the 'Oslo World Music Festival' from October 30 – November 4. The Headlines lifestyle team caught up with the Sabri family to get a lowdown about the festival and also to know the journey the three have charted. |
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 Tell us about the Oslo World Music Festival to be held in Norway? |
| Sarangi: The Oslo World Music Festival is organised each year in Norway. Artists from around the world such as South Africa, Pakistan, Morocco, Egypt, Spain, India and many others become a part of the festival. |
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| Can you tell us some of the famous artists who have earlier been a part of the Festival? |
| Kamal Sabri: Yes. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Pandit Ravi Shankar are the two prominent names. However, this year we would be the only Indians there.
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| Tell us about the kind of work you three have previously produced. |
| Ustad Sabri Khan: I came out with an album 'Lifestory Of A Legend' last month and it featured only my work.
Kamal Sabri: I have come out with various albums. 'Dance Of The Desert' in 2006 is a prominent album. It was an instrumental music album. Another album 'Sarangi Funk' is due soon. I have also played with the famous violinist Yahudi Menon.
Suhail Khan: I am a part of a musical band Advaita and we produce fusion music, with Sarangi being a prominent part of our music. I am a vocalist also and Sarangi came into picture as it is an integral part of the family.
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| Have you all worked for films or else, thinking of taking up any film assignment? |
| Ustad Sabri Khan: I was with the All India Radio for 46 years and have also worked with Roshan Lal Nagrath, Hrithik Roshan's grandfather.
Kamal Sabri: I have given music for a few films such as a Hollywood documentary 'The Big Question' starring Mel Gibson. I also composed music for few Hindi films such as 'Bollywood Boulevard' and 'Sarhad Paar'.
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| Indian classical music is not very popular among the Indians. Hindi film music is more popular. Why do you think this is the case? |
| Ustad Sabri Khan: In India classical music does not get the kind of publicity which Bollywood music is getting. Whatever meets the public eye automatically becomes famous and more popular. In India it is hard to have a 24 hour non – stop sarangi or any classical performance but it happens in Paris. We receive a huge response from the foreign audience, but in India it is not so. And even if it happens, it is limited to a small population. |
| So Indian classical is being accepted outside India? |
| Ustad Sabri Khan: Yes. Infact, it is being taught in Universities as a subject. |
| What is the future of Sarangi? |
| Kamal Sabri: Well, I am 32, Papa soon turns 80 and Suhail is 19 years. So, Papa is still carrying the flame, I am the present and Suhail is the future. This family has been in the business for long now. And after a long chat with them we can confidently say that the future of Sarangi is in the best hands and the art will definitely not dwindle out. |
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