Ghazals evolving to suit changing times: Singer Sahil Khan on classical music & its patronage

Hailing from Jaipur in Rajasthan, Sahil is a third-generation musician following in the footsteps of his maternal grandfather, Ustad Ikram Hussain Khan, and paternal grandfather, Ustad Ramzan Khan, who were exponents of classical and folk music.

Hyderabad: Indian music is truly timeless. Thoroughly grounded in the classical traditions of music, a young Sahil Khan doesn’t mince words to argue that nothing could eclipse the culture and heritage of Indian music. “It could appear to be getting overshadowed at times, but so rich and reverential is our music that no influence can keep it under a shadow for long,” says Sahil, who, these days, is weaving magic with his sonorous Ghazal renditions at the Tansen restaurant in the city.

Hailing from Jaipur in Rajasthan, Sahil is a third-generation musician following in the footsteps of his maternal grandfather, Ustad Ikram Hussain Khan, and paternal grandfather, Ustad Ramzan Khan, who were exponents of classical and folk music.

---

It was from his father Shabbir Khan that Sahil started picking up the ropes. “I got into music at a very young age of 7 years and was taught by my father. I started to acquire knowledge of sitar, tabla, and vocal, and kept gaining a foothold in the world of music,” he recalls.

He fine-tuned his learning at Rajasthan Sangeet Sansthan and gained more experience in vocal and sitar. “Indian classical music is a deep ocean and there is so much to study. My learning still continues,” says the singer who started performing at the age of 13 years.

In a musical career spanning almost 18 years, Sahil Khan had performances in different parts and on special occasions. “I performed for several guests of States and was honoured to perform for former US President, Bill Clinton, during his visit to Jaipur and also former President of Gabon, Ali Bongo,” he says.

Once very popular, both for a connoisseur and a common man, is Ghazal gayaki lost in the din in the invasion of other musical forms in recent times? “It might appear so. Yes, indeed, the patronage for Ghazal appeared to be shadowed. It happened earlier, but Ghazal has bounced back. The beauty of it is such that nothing can eclipse for long,” he says.

In fact, Sahil seeks to explain, Ghazals have been evolving over the decades to suit the changing milieu while not losing their true essence. Different artistes — whether it be Talat Mahmood or Pankaj Udhas, have contributed differently. He says, “It’s like a bouquet of flowers with different fragrances.”

Here in Hyderabad, he performs live Sufi music at Ohri Group’s ‘’Tansen’, a beautifully conceived luxurious essence of Mughal era and the culinary legacy of the North-Western Frontier. “It’s a blessing to be performing at a restaurant named after the musical virtuoso and this kind of ambience,” he says. Hyderabad is a great patron of classical music, says Sahil, adding, “Sufi music is also very popular and I feel happy to receive so many requests during my performance. The city indeed is Royal even in its choice of music.”