Rendezvous with Amjad Ali Khanji

Yesterday, I had an opportunity to meet the great sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khanji. Dad knows him personally as he belongs to MP as well. So he invited dad and me for a small meeting (though it went on for 1hr 45min.). The time decided was 6 pm at Habitat Centre and mind you he was there exactly at 6 (or I think 2 min. before). Sad part is that it was just he and not his sons (I find Ayaan more mature and cute). I also have had talked to Ustad Amjad Ali Khanji on phone occasionally when he calls to talk to dad. A human being with such a strong grip on the Indian traditions and culture is I think very hard to find in today’s world. Whenever he would call, he would first say "Namaskar" and then further introduce himself and ask for dad. I would obviously fumble with excitation. His voice, his articulateness automatically sets you to admire and respect him. But the tragedy of our country is that the same person doesn’t really get the respect which he without any doubt deserves. It was really very disheartening to know how he is being muddled in our country’s bureaucracy.

Tansen as we know has been a great musician of our country. Ustad Amjad Ali Khanji wants an academy to be set up in Madhya Pradesh on his name, a centre for music, dance and art. He has written innumerable letters to the state’s bureaucracy, the cultural ministers, secretaries but not got a single acknowledgement letter from any. HOW SHAMEFUL! All these letters were personally drafted by him. Prime Minister had announced during a cultural meet in Gwalior that this project will be taken forward. Ambika Soni says that she has approved of it and the money has already been allocated. But nothing as for now has taken shape.

Gwalior, a city where Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan, father of Amjad Ali Khan lived doesn’t have a single auditorium for cultural events!! Ustad Amjad Ali Khanji told us how he and other artists perform in Gwalior with sand blowing on their face. Is this what a human being of such high stature deserve? This is the respect which a country which prouds itself with its rich cultural heritage give to people like him? In foreign, there is museum for every great legend including all the musicians and artists, writers. The place where Shakespeare was born is so very well maintained today. Drawing inspiration from Beethoven museum, Ustad Amjad Ali Khanji formed a Sarod Ghar in Gwalior devoted to the great legend Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan. Shouldn’t Government have had taken initiative here? Though they did give all the funds required then but is it enough?

It was embarassing to know how the treatment Ustad Amjad Ali Khan is receiving at the hands of our "esteemed bureaucrats". I came to know through newspapers that he wasn’t even invited for a Madhya Pradesh Cultural Festival organized last month. State where he was born, where he gave so many musical renditions doesn’t acknowledge the same!!

He is not even the member of Bharat Bhawan which is one of the biggest cultural centre in Bhopal. He has sent so many suggestions to the state government to improve the cultural scenario of the country but all in vain. In the web of this bureacracy and politics we are loosing what we are known for. Ask for spending crores of money on barely 11 minutes show during the closing ceremony of Commonwealth Games and their rains the money and here, the actors and actresses and various other stars demanded lakhs even though they represented their own country, Saif after performing at commonwealth said that he felt very patriotic. But his patriotism did cost us heavy! And on the other hand we have artists like Bismillah Khan. We are it seems lost in the maze of what sells and what doesn’t.

I wonder why these bureaucrats behave so irresponsibly, insensitively when these are the ones who are supposed to be few of the brightest of our country. They are the ones who are able to crack IAS exam but still!!! I don’t wish to generalise here as there are at the same time numerous other bureaucrats who are worth their positions.

Our culture is our pillar and if this pillar breaks, I don’t think we will have anywhere to go. In the game of politics and bureaucracy we are losing our heterogeneous and soft image. Let these musicians, dancers, artists who know our culture, understand it, suggest policies and implement them. Frankly I don’t know how to conclude this. There is so much to be done. Heere (Diamond) ko chamkane ki bajaye hum usse aur kaale paani main duba rahen hain! Let's hope this diamond continues to shine even then.