My sojourn to different countries on cultural missions actually started about 15 years ago, when I used to go abroad for shorter trips. But it was absolutely different when a few years ago I was invited by the American Society of Eastern Arts in California to teach Indian classical music under the direction of my Guru's son and Guru Ustad Ali Akbar Khan. I accepted the invitation amidst doubts and hesitations. How would our ancient and traditionally rich music be taken by the most sophisticated materialistic-minded modern people of America? Would they be able to show it due respect?
Ustad Allauddin Khan
Disturbed with such questions, I went to my revered Guru Ustad Allauddin Khan in Maihar for the solutions, and also to receive blessings from him. He was the first real musician to take the message of our music to the world outside. He gave his blessings and said, "Whatever you have learned and achieved it is for the service of mankind. You must render with all sincerity the richness and the spirit of our music to everyone, irrespective of any caste, creed, religion or nationality. This is the only way you can really serve your country and your music as well."
Thus greatly helped by his enlightening words I went forward to complete my commitments and since then every year I have been going to America and many other places regularly. Currently, many of our musicians are quite busy in carrying our music to various parts of the world. Amongst them Ustad Ali Akbar Khan is probably the first Indian artiste, who has successfully taken the true message and spirit of our music to the Americans. Even today the music lovers of America recall the great performance of the Ustad in 1955 at the Museum of Modern Art, when they for the first time got the taste of real Indian music. He has also been a successful teacher to his American pupils. As a result of his undaunted perseverance and abilities many of his American pupils are today able to give successful performances.
Ustad Ali Akbar Khan photo John Wilton
There are some complaints from certain quarters that we are giving away our national wealth - our traditional music - to undeserving people, who are not our own. But true knowledge knows no boundary, especially where the recipient has the necessary intellect, respect and sincerity. With their logical and analytical minds, they searched and discovered the 'aesthetics' in Indian music. Today it is an acknowledged fact that, like Indian philosophy, Indian music is also treated with very high esteem all over the world. They have realized their wrong way of thinking, that Indian music is 'Dead and Primitive.' Today they become spellbound having been able to realize the depth, spirit and potential of Indian music. We do not have to go far. Our music in our own country was almost a captive in the courts of a few 'Nawabs' and 'Maharajahs,' even a few decades ago. Since our people have accepted and freed her from the courts, it is only natural that the new waves will flow forward and become universal. In America some universities have even included Indian music in the syllabus.
There will always remain some sort of blockades before the flood tides. So, we also see our music has attracted some socially unconventional young men and women, popularly known as 'hippies.' It is no use either condemning them or giving much importance to their views. They are like polluted water in the flood. Only a passing phase. They are attracted by the apparent beauty. They will also sooner or later realize the spirit. An all absorbing flood tide will one day settle down. In course of its flow the polluted water will purify itself. Only one should not put too much emphasis on their views, or the expressions of some of the pop artists and also one should not form any ideas about western music after looking at them.
Following my 'Guru,' I would also like to appeal to all the artists of today and tomorrow, those who would be going abroad with the aim of spreading our music, should try not to make it cheap, seeking a 'short cut' way of popularity. Let all maintain the purity of our great music. They should help the western seekers to realize that our music is true soul-searching 'Sadhana.'
My firm belief is that our music not only in America but soon would be universally acclaimed provided we don't distort her and we maintain her sanctity.
In America today, Indian music is really becoming popular with all music lovers. They are now able not only to understand the intricacies of our difficult 'talas' and rhythmic patterns of our music, but also are in a position to analyze critically the good and bad rendering of the artiste. I have seen with amazement that some of the listeners even absorbingly count the 'matras' and follow the speed of 'Dhamar' or 'Ada-choutal,' like veterans. I was delighted when I found after listening to my music many listeners were carried away by true emotions and came forward to congratulate me.
Sometimes parents send their very young children to learn sitar. On questioning what prompted them to send their children to the class, they answered that though they have materially achieved a lot, but they still feel something is lacking. So, they want their children to find a way out for their stagnant souls. They believe they can get this from the depth of our great music. To some listeners, our music is their soul's delight. Some said to me, "It is the music for the purification of the soul, it seems very near to heavenly music." Some critics have acclaimed our music in the press by declaring, "It has brought Revolution in the stagnant Western souls."
This much I have realized - that as they advance in the materialistic world, the more they realize of the prolonged gap in the spiritual level. They are desperately searching for the peace of mind, the truth, the salvation of their soul. Swami Vivekananda once showed them the way through Indian Philosophy. Now the radiance of Indian music would help them to find the way of salvation, and therein lies the glory of our music.