Ustad Rais Khan

Thanks to my Sitar Sir, I came to know about a concert by Ustad Rais Khan this weekend.  Khan Sahab is from Mewati Gharana ( Indore) and plays in “Beenkar Baj Gayaki Ang”.

Before the concert began , he told the audience that he was running high fever and was having a severe body ache. He apologized in advance for any mistakes he might commit in the concert. He is 72 years old!. How many 72 year olds are there in this world who can actually perform in front of an audience ? I guess there is something in music that keeps a mind fresh and active. Despite his ill health, once Khan Sahab started playing , it looked like he entered another world. It was a delight to watch him play. Khan sahab performed for 2 hours in front of a jam packed auditorium. His son Farhan accompanied him on stage and was providing the speed component whereas Khan Sahab played meend, gammak , zamzama and other variations.

At the end of two hour concert, he was helped by his sons , so that he could stand on the stage and take a bow. Audience gave a standing ovation to this stalwart of Indian music.

I heard an incident about Rais Khan. It seems that his fingers had become so hard that he would deliberately take his cigarette and place them on the tip of the index finder and middle finger and exhibit no reaction whatsoever. He would proudly claim that his fingers can resist any pain. Lot of people at the concert were saying that this might well be his last on stage performance.