The seventh generation in a line of Sufi singers, Zila Khan has more than a captivating stage presence. She is a mystic with music in her blood.
The longing for being one with God resonates through the power in her voice.[break]
The singer who was in Kathmandu on her first visit to Nepal gave two musical concerts at the Army Officers Club on February 18 and at the Patan Museum on February 20.
She shared her passion for music and life in a conversation at the Kathmandu Guest House on Monday.
“I became a Sufi singer by choice. Unlike other males who were forced to follow the tradition, I loved singing and did it everyday for the sheer joy. Now, I’m happy to be doing it professionally,” shared the talented singer.
Being born in a family of classical musicians, Khan was introduced to music early in her life, and she studied under her father Ustad Vilayat Khan, the sitar maestro.
She currently teaches at Ustadgah, a music school she herself established for underprivileged individuals.
“I love teaching, it keeps me on my toes, and the students I teach are all music enthusiasts.” She first gives them classes, and the best among them are filtered to take on music as a career. “I tell them what they are, some grow into singers and some just don’t have it.”
Khan, who has been touring the world with the same troupe for the past 10 years, shares a strong bond with them.
“I often improvise on stage. So my musicians are always prepared for what’s coming up.”
Even at the concert on February 18, she presented a number of improvised compositions of classical Sufi songs.
“You must be blessed to be broken,” she explained in between the verses as the music provided a serene backdrop.
She was applauded each time a song was over, and her performance left a spiritual aura in the hall.
Being an internationally acclaimed artist, Khan has performed numerous times at the Lincoln Center in New York and Albert Hall in the UK. She was also the artist to close the Commonwealth Games in India in 2010.
Aware of her stardom yet down to earth, the singer mentioned that she was impressed by the folk culture of Nepal.
“Nepal used to have huge annual musical festivals around 200 years ago.
I have a picture of my great grandfather Ustad Imdad Khan with a host of Indian musicians and the king of Nepal.
“I’m surprised that I didn’t come to Nepal earlier,” she added.
During her brief stay in Nepal, she found the nation to be ‘beautiful’ and she believes that the aesthetics evident in the people could be due to the proximity with the mountains.
A firm believer in her art, Khan wants her work to speak for herself and not be tied down with media responsibilities.
“I have never cared for public relations.”
To keep her voice in condition, she practices around six hours on a daily basis and for around two hours daily when on tour.
“Singing does no harm to the voice but talking does,” Zila stressed. “I speak very less and like to observe more.
I don’t waste my voice.”
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