05 Transition into Ghazals - USTAD LATAFAT ALI KHAN Q&A

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Our Gharana is a Classical Music Gharana. We were not allowed to sing Ghazals. I was learning Classical but my interest in Ghazals was increasing and my Father was concerned. Artists such as Mehdi Hassan, Ghulam Ali, Pervaiz Mehdi were changing the musical landscape then. The Musical landscape is ever changing. Dhrupad (musical tradition) was followed by Khyal, followed by Thumri and many other styles and genres as we see them today. But they all stem from Classical music. Now I got into Cricket in those days. I loved Cricket but it was a good excuse to move away from Classical singing, which I was still finding a bit intimidating. So, I played Cricket and even reached State level. I used to be a all rounder I also got selected to play for the Radio Pakistan Cricket Team. At the time the radio producer was Mr Khalid Asghar and the radio controller was Mr Saleem Gillani. My uncle Ustad Sadat Ali Khan was also on the team and Mr Joseph Gill was the captain. I was chosen from an number of artists who worked at the Station. We played against many celebrity teams at FC College, Aitchison College, Government college (Lahore) and many other places. I used to play well and even Father saw one of my matches. Many old cricketers attended that match including Mohammed Nazir. There were some selectors there as well, who was also the selector for the Under 19s cricket team. It was a FC college match and I scored 52 runs scored against a very tough fast baller. I played stroke point shots in all directions, cover drives, square-cuts, 3-4 good straight drives on side and offside. I even played mid-wicket. The selector was impressed and wanted to select me for the under 19s. At the time Waqar Tony was the captain and was also my friend from Government College Lahore. We even played a match together at a large stadium in Chauburji. He was happy and thought I was a good player as well. So, Mr. Nazir was very happy to meet my Father as he was a huge music fan. He then asked him if he can select me for the under 19s. Father said, “we will decide by tomorrow”. So, when we got home, he saw how ecstatic I was for getting selected for the under 19s, because that could lead to a National Team selection. Back in those days they selected talent over politics. So, we got home, and he said, “Son, if I allow you something will you leave cricket for it”. I said, “I’m not sure what you mean. You’re my Father, feel free to ask anything”. He said, “I’ll allow you to sing Ghazals, if you leave cricket. You are a good singer, but what if a ball hits you in the chest or neck. You could lose your voice”. He said, “there will be many other cricketers. But watching you sing will make me happier. So, I will allow you to sing Ghazals, but one day you will be singing Classical music as well”. And that is exactly what happened. I agreed to it, and while the under 19s went to play in India, my Father took me on his world tour, starting with America and Canada. There he let me sing Ghazals. I got to sing in Florida and Chicago for example. My father got me to open for him. He even composed for me. You can find some examples on Insaan Music. He also encouraged me to sing any Ghazals he would like. So that is how I become a Ghazal singer, however I kept learning Classical as well. One day I was singing in London at Asif Jaan’s home who was a Afghanistan born Tabla player. Now the venue was full of Afghani listeners, and they asked me to sing Classical because of my Gharana. Now I had learnt Classical but performed little of it in front of people. But I started to sing, they played a Jhap Taal (ten beat pattern). I sang for about 30 minutes. Afterwards, people gave me so much respect for it, I fell into deep thought. Then I remembered my Father saying, “I will allow you to sing Ghazals, but one day you will be singing Classical music as well”. And that is exactly what happened, as if my Father has prayed for that to happen. After that day, I started to put more emphasis on Classical music and usually start off my concerts with a Raag performance. Now ironically even Ghazals are considered Classical music. My Father used to stay, “sing anything, as long as you are in tune and in time”