Government should do more to promote Hindustani music: Amjad

Natasha Chaku

Melbourne, Aug 21 (PTI) Lamenting that Hindustani
classical music was losing sheen due to an onslaught of
television culture, Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan has
said the government should do more to preserve and promote it.

Khan, who is in Australia on a 'Freedom Tour,' said
there was a need to strike a balance between classical music
and the latest trends and as done by the west.

"Western world has been able to maintain that perfect
balance towards its European classical music despite changing
trends of TV culture... In our country unfortunately we could
not keep the balance," he told PTI.

"Excessive TV channels, soap operas, reality shows are
affecting the classical music of India," he said, adding there
was too much of TV and cinema around.

He noted that the classical music was passing through a
difficult phase in India. "However, legend musicians are
always loved by people irrespective of all this. There music
is always sold out," Khan said.

He said it was a bit challenging to woo audience to a
concert where people would have to miss out on their favourite
soap operas, was and the government should play a prominent
role in preserving classical Indian music.

"Its the duty for the government to save this culture.
They should ask people like us suggestions on how to go about
this... Ministry of culture has to play more important role to
popularise and preserve Indian classical music," he said.

However, Khan said he was always loved by Indian people.
Khan said Europeans enjoyed the classical Beethovan
symphony, as much as they like the latest trends in music, and
said in India as well there was a need to balance out.

"There is no threat to our classical music as well but
we need to strike a balance," Khan said.

"This is our ancient art. It needs to be nurtured and
looked after," the noted Sarod player said.

Pointing out that he was not representing any cultural
committee formed by the government, Khan said: "If anyone asks
us how to preserve the classical music we can guide in the
right way".

"Cultural ministry should come forward to seek
suggestions from the classical music gurus," he suggested.

On A R Rahman's Oscar win, Khan said: "Its destined.
However, I think for Rahman he should have been awarded long
back on his film Roza for excellent music," Khan said.

However, Khan appeared unhappy at the portrayal of
Indian slums and poverty in Slumdog Millionaire.

"Its true India does have those issues but there are
other good faces as well," he said, commenting that the film
"was no reason for us to celebrate".

On his interest to compose music for Bollywood, Khan
said he would love to be part of a historical film or a film
set in the Mughal era.

Khan said he was based in Delhi and this probably kept
him at bay from Bollywood. PTI NC
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