KARACHI: The death of legendary Ustad Fateh Ali Khan of the Patiala Gharana is an irreparable loss, but it did result in a rare moment of solidarity among the music fraternity on Thursday at a gathering held here to celebrate his life and contribution to classical music.

Organised jointly by the Karachi Arts Council, Tehzeeb Foundation of Pakistan, MoUSICi, and the All Pakistan Music Conference, the commemorative gathering was a desperate call to resuscitate the genre of classical music that has long been suffering from neglect, and set the tone for better times to come with more concentrated efforts to sustain the musical contribution of classical artists, both past and present.

In attendance was Ustad Fateh Ali Khan from the Gwalior gharana, who said that the talent that late Fateh Ali Khan possessed was unlike any other. Though related by blood, both were brought together by mutual respect and a love for classical music. He explained how artists like Fateh Ali Khan come far and few.

“The times have changed, and so have the tastes of the audience. And so artists like Fateh Ali Khan are no longer produced. And this lacking is further increased by the lack of government support extended to this music genre.”

Ustad Fateh Ali Khan’s son Rustam Fateh Ali Khan, who is also a celebrated classical singer of the Patiala gharana, was also present to share his father’s tales.

A constant figure during his father’s illness, Rustam recalled how even in his last days Ustad Fateh Ali Khan did not allow his connection with classical music to slip away. “When we were in the hospital, he would ask me to sing and then would hum along with me, even though he was suffering from a severe lung disease.”

Rustam’s grief at the loss of his father was apparent as he broke down several times while addressing the audience. Witnessing and suffering because of the desolate state of affairs of classical music in Pakistan also touched a raw nerve.

“My father used to say that I was born in the wrong era. Either I should have been born during an earlier time when classical music and its artists were given their due, or in a time when classical music was entirely dead so that people yearned to hear such a voice,” he explained.

Rustam’s lament was that despite the accolades he has earned internationally, he, alongside many other artists in the classical music fraternity in Pakistan, have been let down by their country. The necessity to sustain a living for his family, he heartbrokenly explained, was and remains the primary concern and classical music has not been able to help in that regard. This is primarily due to the lack of support, recognition, appreciation and patronage given to classical artists in the country.

Arshad Mahmud, who also helped organise the event, shed light on the efforts that are presently being made to save classical music in the country, which has always been a genre appreciated by the few and not the masses.

Ahmed Shah of the Arts Council also acknowledged that not enough has been done to salvage what is left of this rich tradition of classical music.

Though Pakistan has much talent, the reason why classical music artists in India are internationally recognised is because they have been branded by their country and their government, he said. There is a lack of ownership of such artists in Pakistan, and not only do the artists suffer, but so does the tradition of classical music.

A video presentation was also screened of an old television interview of Ustad Fateh Ali Khan as well as his performance that had the audience in raptures.

After the speeches, the audience were treated to live musical performances by Rustam Fateh Ali Khan, Imran Ilyas Khan and tabla maestro Ustad Bashir Khan.

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2017