My Music Diary

Ustad Vilayat Khan Excerpts from the book ‘Komal Gandhar’ STYLE OF PLAYING (ANG) My Sitar demonstrates the fusion of instrumental and vocal music – this is what the whole world is saying – I never needed to say it myself. So, can I explain a little about it? It is the opinion of some people that my grandfather Imdad Khan Saheb introduced the ‘Gayaki Ang’. No – Imdad Khan Saheb’s style of playing was the ‘Tantra Ang’ – ‘Dhrupad Ang’ on the Surbahar. And there were ‘Gat Todas’ of the ‘Tantra Ang’ which was a part of the Sitar. Then from Inayat Khan came the ‘Sapat Tan’. The playing of ‘Tihais’. This was all the innovation of Inayat Khan Saheb. Then let us take ‘Peshkara’ – of Jantanat Khan Saheb, Tarrale Khan Saheb, Kaale Khan Saheb, Mian Baksh Khan Saheb – then Kallu Hafeez, Bhairon Maharaj – of the Tabla of these great masters. ‘Purbi Baaj’, ‘Farkkabadi Baaj’, ‘Delhi Baaj’. This ‘Peshkara Baaj’ of the Tabla was introduced into Sitar by Inayat Khan Saheb. And the playing of ‘...