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"I want to work for the revival of classical music" says sitar prodigy Wajihul Hussain Nizami

"I want to work for the revival of classical music" says sitar prodigy Wajihul Hussain Nizami

Interestingly, he adds that foreigners are more interested in playing the sitar rather than locals
02 Jun, 2016

Belonging to the 18th generation of sitar players from the Senia gharana, 29-year-old Wajihul Hussain Nizami started playing the sitar at five years of age under his mother’s supervision who supported his interest in music.

Mr Nizami held his first solo performance at the age of 13 years at the National Library Auditorium in 2000 and has been playing at various functions in art galleries and government and private functions.

He is a sitar teacher and also a classical music instructor.

Dawn caught up with Wajih to talk about classical music and how it is faring with the younger generation.

Q: What made you lean towards classical music instead of popular music?

My mother belongs to the Senia gharana and because she is a woman, she was not allowed to perform and make use of her skills. She started teaching me the basics of classical music when I was five and then handed me over to her brother, Farid Nizami, for training as a sitar player. I wanted to work towards the revival of classical music, which I inherited from my family. My grandfather was a qawwal but I inherited my love for the sitar from my mother.

Q: What is the future of classical music in Pakistan?

Classical music is very difficult to perform whereas popular music is easier. Only a good voice and knowing how to copy the maestros is needed to be good in popular music. But in classical singing and playing classical music instruments, one needs to understand all the raags and tunes and practice a lot as well.

Though classical musical instruments including the sitar and tabla were introduced in the subcontinent by Amir Khusro and Muslims, they are more popular in India, where musicians have mixed fusion with classical to make it different. A lot more needs to be done for classical music in Pakistan. There is also a need for proper institutions where senior artists can teach the younger generation.

Q: Who are more interested in playing the sitar, locals or foreigners?

Sitar is more popular with foreigners and many want to learn to play the instrument. Locals are more interested in playing the guitar and other instruments associated with pop music. Classical music is only enjoyed at select events where sitar players are invited to perform. Poets, intellectuals and writers are more interested in classical music and listen to the tunes of the sitar compared to the common man.

Q: Why are there so few sitar players?

Most people don’t adopt sitar playing as a profession because they know it will be difficult to earn money from it. Those who play the sitar do so for themselves and because they enjoy its soft tunes.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2016

Comments

attorn85 Jun 02, 2016 10:42am
"Though classical musical instruments including the sitar and tabla were introduced in the subcontinent by Amir Khusro and Muslims, they are more popular in India" Does Aamir Yasin really knows where the Indian Classical music originated from? What world do you live in?
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HS Jun 02, 2016 11:25am
If you ever get a sincere student, please share everything with them. Someone needs to keep the flame lit.
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Asif Mir Jun 02, 2016 11:31am
Arts & Literature have a direct relationship with economy. They flourish in growing economies and suffer in stranded economies.
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Humza Jun 02, 2016 12:07pm
The instrument is believed to have been derived from the veena, an ancient Indian instrument, which was modified by a Mughal court musician to conform with the tastes of his Mughal patrons and named after a Persian instrument called the setar (meaning three strings). The sitar flourished in the 16th and 17th centuries and arrived at its present form in 18th century India. It derives its distinctive timbre and resonance from sympathet
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Mady Jun 02, 2016 12:29pm
The artist claim that the classical instruments were introduced in the Indian sub-continent by muslims then why it is languishing in Pakistan? Whereas India is home to world-renowned players of classical instruments like Bismillah Khan (Shehnai), Hariprasad Chaurasia (Flute), Ravi-shankar (Sitar), Vinayakram (Ghatam), Zakir Hussain (Tabla) so on.
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Pune-India Jun 02, 2016 02:20pm
Sitar....... Indian classical instrument..........any way nice to see this with Pakistani man
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Rao Jun 02, 2016 07:08pm
@attorn85 He is a good man , but learnt history lessons from Pakistan studies! That is why , nothing is attributed to India.
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Indian Jun 03, 2016 02:25am
Ohh boy! Sitar introduced by Muslims ?! What convoluted history.
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Anon Jun 03, 2016 08:32am
@Rao that has always been their problem.
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