Ustad Sultan Khan says that contemporary fusion music falls flat when compared to the rich classical tradition of music in the country.
The mellifluous voice of one of the country’s leading classical singers, Ustad Sultan Khan rose above the strong winds that kissed the walls of the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, lending his voice to a group of folk artists from Rajasthan. The veteran musician was part of the Rajasthan International Folk Festival — the annual international music whose USP boasted of collaboration between classical and folk artists along with several Western artists.
He surprised us by later claiming that he was not really very fond of fusion music, and was only attending because the organisers of the event, the Jaipur Virasat Foundation, had especially invited him to perform at the event.
Ustad Sultan Khan points out, “I do not believe in fusion. However, it is true that people like fusion music the best in India, and this is the reason behind all the rows at the venue filling up. But personally, if you ask me, I am not a big fan of fusion.”
The third day of the Jodhpur RIFF was abuzz with folk performances, this one, a collaboration between the Ustad on the sarangi and vocals, accompanied by Lakha Khan Manganiyar and other artistes from rural Rajasthan. While the aging Ustad’s voice never once faltered and the performance was attended by the royal family of Jodhpur, the veteran musician had to be carried in on a wheelchair supported by his family members and remained seated on the same until he took the stage and awed the audience with his vocal prowess.
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