LAIQ KHAN: SAD NOTES FROM A HEAVENLY VOICE
Agra:
“Our sweetest songs
are those that tell of the saddest thoughts,” was the guiding philosophy of the Romantic English poets. Agra’s young talent ghazal singer Laiq Khan shares the same gloom and despair when he holds the audience spell bound with his heavenly voice delivering the tragic notes that seem to have a soothing catharctic effect.
Just back from a successful Pakistan tour where he met his ideal the unparalleled master of ghazals janab Mehndi Hasan sahab who shared some secrets and blessed him Laiq is all set to conquer the singing world with his passion and hard work. “The limit of my junoon for singing is beyond measurement. For me singing is sadhna,” Laiq says.
“My repertoire has only sad songs, for me there is no joy. Perhaps this negativism is part of my persona now, having spent childhood days in deep distress and agony. It’s been a tough life all through but I have never been able to get disenchanted with singing which for me is both a release as well as a passion,” Laiq tells IANS.
“The song that really moved me was the Kora Kagaz number which painted life as a blank sheet. For a while I did try to splash some colours on this kora kagaz but destiny had other designs for me. I do not regret the hardships any more. In fact the sad under and overtones fuel me to sing with a pathos that evokes instant rapport with the audience.”
Who are your favourite poets? “I normally start with Mirza Ghalib’s “Ebne Mariyam Duaa Kare Koi, switch over to Tu aghar mujh se khafa hai, tum na mano maghar haqeeqat hai, or Jab meri yaad sataye. In Pakistan I started the concert with Na mein Hindu hoon na musalman, dosti hai mera imaan,mujhe jeene do. The number immediately sent a message that went down so effectively and there was such a spontaneous applause.”
Laiq Khan’s penchant for soulful music that touches the core of the heart leads him forever looking for new pains (gham) to stir him to excel. “Achcha insan hi achcha artist ho sakta hai,” he believes, because “eventually the inner self gets reflected in your voice, your presentation and mood.”
Laiq has already cut a few albums, released two CDs and audio cassettes in a brief career spanning six years. Even his critics give him the credit for his voice quality and knowledge of the Hindustani
classical traditions. “Mein raag se bahar kabhi nahin jata. I have to practice for hours on a daily basis. For me no fusion music or remixes. I am all for pure and unadulterated music. Look at all the old time greats like Naushad. We remember his lyrics because the classical raags have kept alive his songs that have an infinite variety and durability.”
Laiq is not happy with the experimentation and mixing. “Urdu shairi is going through a lean phase right now, but the number of patrons of ghazal singing has definitely gone up. I see a bright future for semi classical music.”
Talking of the general decline in the quality of Urdu poetry Laiq says “while the Hindus were keeping alive the Urdu shairi, the muslims were losing interest in it. Bollywood has been a great patron of Urdu poetry.”
The young, effable singer feels there can be no short cuts to fame. “The Indian Idol type TV shows were only promoting spurious stuff and fooling people, it’s like the wrestling contests in WWF, all scripted. Such programmes can be a threat to classical music,” he adds.
His favourites are Bashir Badr, Sahil Hamdani, Ibrahim Jonk, Nissar Akhtar, Shamim Jaipuri, in addition to Mirza Ghalib and Bahadur Shah Zafar.
Deeply indebted to his guru the last of the Agra Gharana Ustad Aqeel Ahmed Khan Sahab, Laiq says “Zindgi ke safar mein na jane kis waqt shaam ho jaye, subse jhuk ke mila karo, na jane kab kis guru ki raag ragini kam aa jaye.”
Laiq’s journey has just begun. He is careful that the mood of despondency should not overwhelm him. “I have successfully tried to creatively use the pessimistic notes to weavea spell on my audience, but I am sure and confident that the night may be dark and horrifying but the morning will always be bright and colourful.” ENDS