“Since 1991 we have presented 250 artistes, some known, some unknown,” says Asif Husain Khan, sitar exponent, speaking of the cultural organisation he and his brother, vocalist Arif Husain Khan, have been running for the past decade in memory of their father, celebrated vocalist Ustad Yunus Husain Khan of the Agra gharana.
While fiercely proud of their heritage, the brothers emphasise that they regularly also invite artistes from other gharanas to perform under the aegis of the Ustad Yunus Husain Khan Memorial Society.
Of performers considered ‘unknown', Asif, the elder of the brothers and the current khalifa (elder statesman) of the gharana after his father, points out, “Their only drawback is that they are not highlighted enough, though even their disciples' disciples might have become stars!”
Striking a sensitive note
He has touched on a sensitive subject with artistes — both the famous and not-so-famous: the arbitrary nature of fame and the wildly differing opportunities it brings. While artistes of immense quality can be found in every corner of the country, it is only a handful who make it to the concert platforms of even New Delhi, let alone world capitals.
Arif muses, “It is also a question of fate.” Adds the elder brother, “Even when artistes grow old, and even if they are unknown, they still have a desire to be heard.” The reason is their lifetime's dedication to the pursuit of the art. “They have done tapasya (penance) like being made to sit like a murga with a grinding stone on their back.”
Disciples of old may have accepted such treatment from those they revered as gurus, but they would not grovel before anyone else. Notes Arif, “The old artistes never flattered anyone. Today's artistes meet every minister.” Many gifted artistes have died without a government honour despite their contribution, he rues. “Padma Shri has no value any more.”
As for audiences, the brothers feel Kolkata and Mumbai have a good musical environment, but the scope is to be found in Delhi.
Asif Husain, the “only sitar exponent of the gharana,” divides his time between Aligarh and Delhi. He says he has taken a decision to take his art to places where it will be appreciated, regardless of pecuniary benefit.
“I play at every small function and at schools. I might miss a programme offered by a big organisation, but I will go to that small place where they can't even pay my taxi fare,” he declares.
Besides, he has recorded the marsiah, music for Muharram, and even played the tasha, the drum that accompanies it, for a recording of the National Centre for Performing Arts in 1992.
The family lineage includes Ustad Shafi Ahmad, the brothers' ‘Mamu' (maternal uncle), now 86, besides their other uncles Mubarak Ali and Amanat Husain Khan. Septuagenarian vocalist Yaqub Husain Khan in Mumbai is their paternal uncle. Asif's son Kashif, representing the 13th generation, is training in vocal Atrauli near Aligarh. “We have groomed him specially for music,” says Uncle Arif proudly.
Their undimmed enthusiasm exemplifies the artiste's faith that — occasional agitation notwithstanding — music will triumph, now and ever more.
