'Music Needs Fusion Not Confusion': Ustad Dilshad Ali Khan

Violin maestro Ustad Dilshad Hussain Khan has said that the fusion music demanded right knowledge of the European and eastern music while modern music scene in Pakistan lacked the right knowledge of such traditions

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th May, 2019 ):Violin maestro Ustad Dilshad Hussain Khan has said that the fusion music demanded right knowledge of the European and eastern music while modern music scene in Pakistan lacked the right knowledge of such traditions.

Pak-US citizenship holder violinist Ustad Dilshad Hussain Khan, who moved to the United States back in 1996, in an interview with APP here on Sunday, said how could one claim to present fusion if one was not aware of the European and eastern music traditions, adding he could play Western Classical Music, Jazz, Blues, Eastern Classical Music and all kinds of regional Pakistani music.

Ustad Dilshad Hussain Khan has recently returned to Pakistan after a voyage of more than two decades during which he played music all around the world and won the hearts of world audiences through fusion of classical eastern music with European music. He also enjoys the distinction of being the only Pakistani violinist who has played his composition alongside his musician son Ustad Samar Hussain Khan at the Capitol Hill, Washington D.C.

A proud inheritor of the Delhi Gharana, Ustad Dilshad learnt violin on the insistence of his father who wanted him to master some other music genre although the Delhi Gharana is known for tabla and sarangi music through great exponents of Sarangi and table Ustad Bundu Khan and Ustad Gamay Khan respectively.

About the younger generation, the U.S based there was need to pass on the pedigree to the younger generation in the country, stressing he had returned to his motherland to make his mastery known to the countrymen.

Ustad Dilshad Hussain khan revealed that he will shortly be performing a 'Fusion Concert' at the Alhamra Arts Council during which he will present Beethoven, Mozart compositions with eastern classical music like Raag Darabari and Raag Puria Dhansri besides presenting violin with tabla.

He said he was also in negotiations with Executive Director Alhamra Ather Ali Khan to teach music at the Alhamra.

To a query, Ustad Dilshad said Violin was closest to human voice, adding it was a unique music instrument with close affinity to human voice.

About its diversity, he said violin was more align to all genres of music from the times of Beethoven and Mozart to eastern classical musical tradition of Ameer Khusru to Taan Sen and the contemporary music, adding that violin could play all kinds of music where the scope of Sarangi, tabla. And sitar was limited.

He dispelled the impression that violin was an instrument of sadness, adding that it could reflect all moods.

About his career, he said he started his career with the Radio Pakistan in 1973 and had worked with all singers including Mehdi Hassan, Noor Jehan, Abida Parveen, Fareeda khanum, Mehnaz Begum including the classical music masters like Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan abd Salamat Ali Khan. He had also worked with famous composers of the film industry Nisar Bazmi, Hhurshid Anwer, A Hameed and others.

On moving to the United States (U.S.), Ustad Dilshad Hussain Khan said he was forced to leave Pakistan after he was disallowed leave by the Radio Pakistan to attend Berlin Festival and perform there.

The Eastern music maestro Ustad Dilshad Hussain Khan, to a query, said he had returned to his motherland to re-trace his lost status on the country's music scene and contribute to the music.