Ustad Raza Ali Khan explains Khayal music at Napa

The National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) on Monday held a talk with Khayal singer Ustad Raza Ali Khan, who has been bearing the torch of the singing style of the Kasur-Patiala Gharana, at the Zia Mohyeddin Theater on Monday.

The talk was moderated by musicologist Sharif Awan of the Tehzeeb Foundation. Ustad Raza, who is the grandson of the legendary Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, stressed the need for the composition of new bandishes of classical music. He explained that his grandfather has also penned and composed bandish in various raags.

The guest speaker then explained the Khayal singing to the audience. Explaining the importance of hard work in performing classical music, he narrated his own story when Ustad Wilayet Khan dismissed him as a singer but later under the tutelage of his father he was able to earn praise from Ustad Wilayet.

Ustad Raza also sang a number of classical pieces to explain the Khayal mode of singing, which is the most popular genre currently in use for the exploration of raags of the Indian classical music.

He ended his performance with a Thumri, Baju Band Khul Khul Jaye. NAPA faculty members Ustad Bashir Khan on the tabla and Gul Mohammad on the sarangi accompanied him in his performance.